Gandhinagar: The Government of Gujarat today announced its decision to release payment of Rs. 464 crore pending arrears on account of dearness allowance of three-months period to over five lakh govt employees and over four and half lakh pensioners, ahead of upcoming Diwali festival. Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said, out of total six months pending arrears on account of dearness allowance worth Rs. 950 crore for six months period, the government has decided to release payment of Rs. 464 crore for three months period ahead of Diwali festival. Patel said, ‘GST, VAT and other revenues have seen improvement and most economic activities in the State have resumed’. The payable amount will be directly deposited to their bank accounts. Nitin Patel also announced upto Rs. 3500 Diwali bonus for nearly 31,000 class-4 government employees ahead of Diwali.