The Union Cabinet on Wednesday rolled out a series of major decisions impacting employees, farmers, and the education sector.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a 3% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for 49.2 lakh central government employees and 68.7 lakh pensioners. The move, effective from July 1, raises DA payouts to 58% of basic pay, benefitting 1.18 crore people. The hike, which comes ahead of Dussehra and Diwali, will cost the exchequer nearly ₹10,000 crore.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said, &ldquo;The decision provides timely relief to employees and pensioners, shielding them from inflation.&rdquo;
Alongside, the Cabinet approved a significant Minimum Support Price (MSP) hike for rabi crops. Mustard and rapeseed MSP was raised by ₹300 to ₹5,950 per quintal, lentil by ₹275 to ₹6,700, gram to ₹5,650, safflower to ₹5,940, and barley to ₹1,980. Officials said the revision ensures farmers a return of up to 105% over production costs, supporting income growth and crop diversification.
The government also cleared the opening of 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), expanding access to quality education in underserved regions.
Infrastructure got a major boost with approval for the widening of the Kalibor&ndash;Numaligarh stretch of NH-715 in Assam into a four-lane elevated corridor, covering 85.6 km with wildlife-friendly measures near Kaziranga National Park. The ₹6,957 crore project will be executed under EPC mode.
In agriculture, the Cabinet launched the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (2025&ndash;31) with an investment of ₹11,440 crore, targeting a production capacity of 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31.
Vaishnav also announced government plans to mark 150 years of &lsquo;Vande Mataram&rsquo; with nationwide celebrations.

Centre Hikes DA, Clears MSP Boost & KV Push

1.18 cr staff, pensioners to benefit; Cabinet clears MSP hike, 57 new KVs, big infra push

Centre Hikes DA, Clears MSP Boost & KV Push

1.18 cr staff, pensioners to benefit; Cabinet clears MSP hike, 57 new KVs, big infra push

October 2, 2025 | 22:26 IST