The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, has announced a 2% increase in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees and teachers, effective from January 1, 2026. This adjustment raises the DA from 58% to 60% of the basic salary, benefiting approximately 1.6 million individuals, including employees, teachers, pensioners, and family pensioners. The government will incur an additional annual expenditure of ₹1,230 crore (roughly $148 million USD) to support this increase, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of its workforce. This decision follows similar DA hikes by the Finance Ministry for central government employees and the Indian Banks' Association for bank employees. Additionally, the Tamil Nadu government plans to continue its ₹1,000 monthly entitlement assistance for women beneficiaries, with an intention to increase it to ₹2,500 in the future, although this will exclude families of government employees. The government has also ordered the closure of 717 TASMAC liquor outlets near sensitive areas such as temples and schools within two weeks.