Centre extends incentives, concessions for its employees in Kashmir by 3 years

The Central Government, through the Department of Personnel and Training, has extended the package of concessions and incentives for its employees working in Kashmir for another three years.

This package applies uniformly to all Ministries, Departments, and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the Government of India. It covers employees working in the ten districts of Kashmir Valley, including Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kupwara, Pulwama, Srinagar, Kulgam, Shopian, Ganderbal, and Bandipora.

Under these incentives, employees have the option to relocate their families to a place of their choice within the country at government expense. They are entitled to a Travelling Allowance for their families, as per the rules applicable to permanent transfers. This includes a Composite Transfer Grant amounting to 80 per cent of the last month’s basic pay.

Employees who choose not to move their families are eligible for a per diem allowance of Rs 141 per day for each day of attendance, to compensate for additional transportation expenses. However, those who opt to relocate their families will not receive the per diem allowance, as they already benefit from the Composite Transfer Grant.

For the period of temporary duty, an additional incentive, known as the Kashmir Valley Special Incentive, will be provided. This will be in addition to food charges (as per 7th Pay Commission norms), along with departmental arrangements for accommodation, security, and transportation.

Pensioners from Kashmir Valley who are unable to withdraw their monthly pensions through public sector banks, Pay and Accounts Offices, or treasuries from which they were previously receiving payments will be allowed to receive their pensions outside the Valley, in their place of settlement. This will be permitted as an exception to existing regulations.

The package of concessions will also apply to Temporary Status Casual Labourers working in Kashmir Valley, as per Para 5(i) of the Casual Labourers (Grant of Temporary Status and Regularization) Scheme, 1993. Additionally, the extra House Rent Allowance (HRA) granted under this package will be available to all Centre’s employees posted in Kashmir Valley, regardless of whether they are native to the region. However, this will be subject to the condition that they relocate their families elsewhere in the country, as per the rules governing the allowance.