CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Finance Minister, Birender Singh Monday announced to enhance the rate of Dearness Allowance (DA) payable to the state government employees from existing 41 per cent to 47 per cent of the pay with effect from January 1, 2008 on the pattern of the Central government employees.

According to an official spokesman the Finance Minister said that the arrears on account of the enhancement made in DA would be paid in cash.

Birender Singh pointed out that grant of DA would put additional liability of Rs. 210 cr on state exchequer during the 14 months period that is from January 2008 to February 2009 and Rs. 180 cr during the following financial year.

Minister said that the government had to bear liability of rs.15 cr per month on granting of DA installments to its employees.

This enhancement in DA installments would benefit about 2.74 lakh employees of the state, he said.