ID bonanza: Raje announces 6% additional DA to govt employees

Jodhpur, Aug 15(UNI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje today announced an additional six per cent dearness allowance for the government employees in the state from January this year.

In her address at the Independence Day function -- held in Jodhpur for the first time today Ms Raje said with the additional 6 per cent DA announced today, the total DA to government employees has been increased to 35 per cent. ''The government has taken the decision considering the inflationary pressure in the economy and the hardship to the salaried class. The decision would put an extra burden of Rs.490 crore to the exchequer,'' she said .

As a gift to the people of Jodhpur on the 60th Independence day, the Chief Minister also announced the constituion of Jodhpur Development Authority for the planned development of the city.

The decision was taken following strong public demand and the Rajasthan High court's direction to the government to constitute the JDA to carry out planned development of the city.

The Chief Minister also renamed the old government stadium in the city in the name of Maharaja Umaid Singh and a newly built pavallion in the stadium has been named after football player Shiv Dutt.

UNI