PDP concerned over govt’s empty coffers

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday expressed “concern” over reports about treasuries in Jammu and Kashmir running dry, with cases of unpaid pensions, general provident fund (GPF), gratuity and leave salaries piling up.

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A statement by the party urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the finance portfolio, to address the difficulties being faced by various sections of society due to the ongoing crisis.

PDP leader Naeem Akhtar said: “Disturbing reports have emerged about dry treasuries across Jammu and Kashmir, with employees’ GPF cases, SLI cases, gratuity and leave salaries of retired employees remaining unpaid since April last year. Additionally, contractors who have invested their own money and completed the work are left in the lurch as their bills gather dust in treasuries”.

“Never in the past have we seen pensioners being denied their dearness allowance arrears, or those who retired in April last year still waiting for their gratuity and leave salaries. The release of DA was announced by the J&K Government seven months after it was granted by the Centre. However, the arrears are yet to be paid to employees as well as pensioners. Inflation is already exposing people to severe hardships, and denying the DA arrears is unfortunate,” he said.

Akhtar urged the CM to resolve the issue at the earliest and not to delay the release of payments any further. “We have a democratically elected government in place for the past four months. People expect it to deliver on the promises made ahead of the polls,” Akhtar said.