MP Govt hikes DA to 55% for 4.5 lakh pensioners:Cabinet clears Bhavantar Scheme for soybean; sets kodo at ₹3,500, kutki at ₹2,500 per quintal

The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, approved significant financial and agricultural measures benefiting pensioners and farmers across the state. Key decisions include an increase in pensioners’ dearness allowance, implementation of the soybean price differential scheme, and fixed procurement rates for minor millets like kodo and kutki. Dearness Allowance (DA) raised for pensioners The Cabinet approved raising the dearness relief for 4.5 lakh pensioners under the sixth and seventh pay scales: This increase will take effect from 1 September 2025. While employees received a 2 percent hike in dearness allowance in January 2025, this adjustment had not been applied to pensioners, which has now been addressed. The increased pensions and family pensions will cost the state approximately Rs 170 crore this financial year. Soybean price compensation scheme approved The Cabinet approved the Price Differential (Bhavantar) Scheme for soybean farmers, ensuring they receive the minimum support price (MSP) even when market rates fall below it. Under this scheme, the state government will compensate farmers for the difference between the MSP and the actual market price. Key details: CM Yadav assured that farmers will not incur losses and compensation will be provided even for small or large quantities, ranging from 500 to 1,000 quintals. New rates fixed for Kodo and Kutki Under the Rani Durgawati Shri Ann Pratsahan Yojana 2025-26, the Cabinet approved procurement rates for minor millets: The Shri Ann Federation will be established to oversee marketing, value addition, and promotion of these crops, with ₹80 crore interest-free funding provided. Other cabinet decisions This series of measures reflects the state government’s focus on social security for pensioners, income protection for farmers, and strengthening agriculture and rural development initiatives in Madhya Pradesh.