By NSB.News
New Delhi: The Indian Oil Officers’ Association (IOOA) has urged the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) to immediately issue the pending Industrial Dearness Allowance (IDA) order with effect from January 1, 2026, citing delays despite the All India Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for December 2025 having already been released.
In a representation dated February 5 and addressed to the DPE Secretary, the association stated that IDA revision is a policy-driven component of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) compensation and is directly linked to the consumer price index. Once the relevant CPI data is available, issuance of the IDA order is a routine administrative process.
Deviation from Established Practice
The IOOA pointed out that timely issuance of IDA orders has been a consistent and established practice of the Department of Public Enterprises, enabling CPSEs to implement revisions smoothly from the due date. However, the IDA order applicable from January 1, 2026 has not yet been issued, despite the CPI data being available since December 2025.
Impact on Salary Processing and Planning
According to the association, the continued delay has created uncertainty among executives and led to avoidable administrative challenges for CPSE managements, particularly in salary processing and financial planning. The IOOA noted that such delays adversely affect employee morale, especially at a time when CPSE executives are contributing significantly to organisational performance, operational efficiency, energy security and overall economic growth.
Request for Immediate Approval and Issuance
The IOOA has requested the Department of Public Enterprises to accord immediate approval and issue the IDA order with effect from January 1, 2026, in line with past practice and existing policy norms. The association said early issuance would allow CPSEs to implement the revised IDA seamlessly and ensure timely disbursement to eligible employees.