The government on Friday decided to increase the dearness allowance (DA) to Central government employees to 28 per cent, an increase of 11 per cent over the existing rate of 17 per cent of the basic pay. The same would also be available to pensioners in the form of dearness relief. The new rates for dearness allowance and dearness relief would be applicable from July 1. The decision was taken during the meeting of the Cabinet Committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.