As a Holi gift ahead of the April 19 civic polls, Chief Minister B C Khanduri on Friday said his Government will give an additional six per cent Dearness Allowance to all state Government employees.

A total of 1,60,000 state Government employees and 60,000 pensioners will benefit from the enhanced allowance. The decision will put an additional burden of Rs 90 crore on the state exchequer.

Khanduri said state Government employees, who were getting 41 per cent of the DA will now get an additional 6 per cent of DA from January 1, 2008. “The enhanced DA from January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2008 will be deposited in their provident funds and from April 1, 2008 they will get it with their salaries,” he said. He also announced the setting-up of a Safai Karamchari Commission to suggest improvements in the working conditions of these employees.

For unauthorised slum dwellers, the CM announced the setting up of a high-level committee for regularisation and improvement of slums. The CM also announced that VAT on besan will be decreased from 4 to 1 per cent.