Thiruvananthapuram: An instalment of dearness allowance has been sanctioned for Kerala state government employees, teachers and pensioners. Finance Minister K N Balagopal announced that an instalment of the dearness relief for service pensioners has also been approved.

Those under UGC, AICTE and Medical Services are also included among the beneficiaries. State government employees will receive the benefit of the increased DA (Dearness Allowance) and DR (Dearness Relief). The new benefits will be disbursed along with the salary and pension for September.

With the sanctioning of the DA, the state’s annual expenditure is expected to increase by approximately ₹2,000 crore. This is the second instalment of DA and DR sanctioned this year. Two instalments were granted in the previous year also.