Good news for the central government employees and pensioners as the union cabinet on Tuesday approved an additional dearness allowance (DA) of 3 percent over the existing rate of 9 percent. The Union finance minister, Arun Jaitley made the announcements after the cabinet meeting.

Informing about the decision regarding the increase of DA to employees and pensioners, Jaitley said, "It will be effective from January 1, 2019." The hike will benefit about 48.41 lakh central government employees and 62.03 lakh pensioners, informed Jaitley.

The Union Cabinet also approved the ordinance on Triple Talaq Bill along with two others, informed the Minister. These Bills were cleared by Lok Sabha but could not be passed by the Rajya Sabha at the just-concluded Budget session. The Triple Talaq ordinance makes the practise of instant triple talaq by Muslim men a penal offence.