Andhra Pradesh Diwali Bonanza 2025: AP CM Chandrababu Naidu Announces DA, Earned Leave, Employee Benefits

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has unveiled a Diwali bonanza for government employees, which includes the release of a Dearness Allowance (DA) installment from November 1. The package also covers partial settlement of police department earned leave payments, streamlining of health insurance schemes, child care leave, property tax waivers, and other employee benefits.

As part of the festive package, Naidu stated that the state government will incur an expenditure of Rs 160 crore per month towards Dearness Allowance. "We are releasing one installment of the DA to employees from November 1," he said in an official release late on Saturday.

The Chief Minister further announced that one portion of the police department's earned leave payments will be settled, with the amount split into two equal installments of Rs 105 crore. In addition, he said the health insurance scheme for employees will be streamlined within 60 days, and child care leave of up to 180 days can now be availed before retirement.

Naidu also highlighted that property tax has been waived for buildings of government employees' association offices, and promotions for Road Transport Corporation (RTC) employees have been cleared as part of the Diwali gift package. Certain posts will be redesignated with changes in their nomenclature, and the CM urged employee associations to leave the Pay Revision Commission (PRC) issue to him, assuring an announcement in the coming days.

Despite financial challenges, Naidu noted that the state government had already released Rs 15,921 crore in dues to employees and uploaded Rs 23,556 crore of pending dues from the previous YSRCP regime into the system. He observed that Andhra Pradesh spends Rs 51,452 crore-or 91 percent-on establishment costs, significantly higher than neighboring states, with Telangana at 38 percent, Tamil Nadu at 42 percent, and Karnataka at 39 percent.

"Salaries are being paid on the first day of every month, and a Cabinet sub-committee will address employee-related issues and resolve them," the Chief Minister added.