The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday approved increasing dearness allowance for central government employees to 21 per cent of basic pay from 17 per cent of basic pay with effect from January 1, 2020, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters in New Delhi. The move is likely to benefit 48 lakh employees and 65 lakh pensioners, Mr Javadekar said. The move will be beneficial for 1.13 crore families, he said.