The government on Friday raised the cost of living allowance for government employees and pensioners by 8%, a cabinet minister told reporters.
The hike will cost the government an additional Rs 69.7 billion (USD 1.5 billion) each year, Ambika Soni said at a briefing after the cabinet took the decision.
The cost-of-living allowance is linked to the percentage rise in the 12-month average of the consumer price index and is revised twice a year.
