The Government has extended concessions/incentives to Central Government employees working Kashmir Valley for a further period of two years, Bureaucracy Today reported on Thursday.
The incentives are uniformly applicable to all Ministries, Departments and Public Sector Undertakings under the Central Government. However, they should ensure strict adherence to the rates prescribed in the package.
As per the DoPT’s notification, the concessions have been put into effect from January 1, 2016.
Kashmir Valley comprises of ten districts namely, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kupwara, Pulwama, Srinagar, Kulgam, Shopian, Ganderbal and Bandipora and employees posted to these districts are entitled to additional HRA and other concessions namely,
(i) These employees have an option to move their families to a selected place of their choice in India at Government expense. T.A. for the families allowed as admissible in permanent transfer inclusive of transportation of personal effects, lump-sum payment for packing etc.
(ii) Departmental arrangements for stay, security and transportation to the place of work for employees.
(iii) HRA as for Class ‘Y’ city applicable for employees exercising option at (i). Such employees will be eligible for drawing the normal HRA as well at their place of posting provided Departmental arrangement is not made for his/her stay.
(iv) The period of temporary duty extended to six months. For period of temporary duty daily allowance at full rate is admissible, apart from departmental arrangements for stay, security and transportation.
(B) Employees posted to Kashmir Valley who do not wish to move their families to a selected place of residence : A per diem allowance of Rs 50/- is paid for each day of attendance to compensate for any additional expense in transportation to and from office etc.
Messing allowance is paid to all the employees posted in J&K @ Rs 85.96/- per day, however, the facilities of Messing Allowance and Per Diem Allowance shall also be allowed to natives of Kashmir Valley in terms of the Kashmir Valley package.
The pensioners of Kashmir Valley who are unable to draw their monthly pensions through either Public Sector Banks or PAO treasuries from which they were receiving their pensions, would be given pensions outside the Valley where they have settled, in relaxation of relevant provisions. However, the package of concession/facilities is restricted to Kashmir districts only and is extended to causal labourers who are posted in the valley as well.
As per the Department’s circular, the benefit of additional HRA under the Kashmir Valley package is for all Central Government employees posted to Kashmir Valley irrespective of whether they are natives of Kashmir Valley, if they choose to move their families anywhere in India.