Dearness Allowance or DA Hike News Update: Central government employees and pensioners are demanding the release of arrears for Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) withheld for 18 months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following requests from many employee unions, two MPs have now asked the government whether it is planning to release the 18-month DA arrear for the central government employees and pensioners. Know what the Union government says regarding the release of 18-month DA arrear.