Other decisions The order allowing states to act against hoarding of pulses, edible oils and edible oilseeds extended for one year The proposal of the National Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Policy to implement and monitor it through national and state ECCE councils also okayed

New Delhi, September 20
In a move that will bring a big smile on the faces of over 50 lakh government employees, the Union Cabinet today cleared a hike in dearness allowance by 10 per cent.

In a bid to keep prices in check, the Union Cabinet also approved extending an order that allowed states to act against hoarding of pulses, edible oils and edible oilseeds for one year.

The approvals came at the meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Teawri said the move to hike the DA would not only benefit 50 lakh present employee, but also 30 lakh pensioners.

The hike would be effective from July 1, 2013. The Central Government employees and pensioners would now be entitled to DA/DR at the rate of 90 per cent of the basic pay, an official statement said.

It would cost Rs 10,879.6 crore per annum and Rs 7,253.10 crore during the financial year 2013-14.