Chandigarh DC rate notification on Aug 15

The UT Administration will announce the revised DC rates for employees from August 15. This move will benefit around 20,000 contractual and outsourced employees working in various departments of the Administration.

According to officials, the Deputy Commissioner office had sought details and suggestions from all departments.

A notification on the new rates will be issued on August 15 with an expected increase of 6-10%, said the officials.

As per the existing practice, the DC rates are revised annually from April 1. The employees’ Joint Action Committee has demanded a 15% hike in the rates and submitted a memorandum to the Administration in this regard.

Former MP Kirron Kher had written to the UT Chief Secretary requesting that the revised rates be implemented retrospectively from April 1, 2025.

The new rates will apply not only to government departments but also private institutions. Beneficiaries will include daily-wagers and outsourced workers such as “beldars”, gym attendants, parking staff, “sewadars”, cattle catchers, watchmen, cleaners, cooks, helpers, gatekeepers, gardeners, sanitation workers and waiters.

After the hike in DC rates last year, “beldars” wages rose from ₹18,461 to ₹20,000 per month.

Certain categories, including those in the medical field and transport, nursing attendants, desk helpers, sports staff, medical lab technicians and junior engineers, got no benefit in the revision last year, but are expecting a hike this time.

The revised DC rates will be applicable retrospectively from April 1, 2025, till March 31, 2026. Employees will also receive arrears.

An employee leader stated that wages for outsourced workers remained low compared to the rising cost of living, and the DC rates had not kept pace with inflation.