AGARTALA, June 4 (TIWN): Chief Minister Manik Sarkar today ruled out rumors of Dearness Allowance (DA) sanction from the cabinet. No such decisions were taken at meeting of the state cabinet held today, he said.

The cabinet convened a crucial meeting from 12 noon today. The meeting, which continued for over an hour and a half, approved Tripura Health Assistance Scheme for the Poor and resolved to introduce mustard oil and pulses in the list of essential commodities distributed at subsidized rates through the Public Distribution System (PDS) among other decisions.

However, the cabinet didn't approved any DA for the state government employees.

Asked about plans of the state government regarding DA, the Chief Minister said that Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha was looking after the issue. "The incumbent Finance Minister assumed the charge of the Department barely few days back. He is considering the facts and looking at the possibilities of granting DA", he said.

Rumours were rife in the high corridors of the state administration regarding possibilities of DA sanction  for state government employees.

Tripura allowed 10 percent as further installment of DA over the revised basic pay with effect from January 01 this year. Total quantum of DA payable to state government employees stood at 57 percent at the time, benefitting around 2 lakh employees and 51,265 pensioners.