The Central Government employees who work in Kashmir Valley now have a three-year extension on the package of perks and incentives.
According to an office letter sent by the DoPT on Monday, “The package of concessions/incentives to Central Government employees working in Kashmir Valley will be extended for a further period of three years with effect from 01.08.2021.
According to the DoPT, the incentive package applies uniformly to all Ministries, Departments, and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the Government of India, and they must ensure that the rates outlined in the package are strictly followed. The statement read, “The concerned Ministries/Departments may ensure implementation and monitoring of the package in compliance with the approved package, and as a result, all court cases in which verdicts are given contrary to the package would have to be contested by the Ministries/Departments concerned.”
Among other incentives, these employees have an option to move their families to a selected place of their choice in India at Government expenses and Transport Allowance for the families allowed as admissible in permanent transfer inclusive of the Composite Transfer Grant at the rate of 80 per cent of the last month’s basic pay.
For the period of temporary duty, an incentive known as the Kashmir Valley Special Incentive will be paid at the following rates along with food charges (as per 7th Pay Commission norms), apart from departmental arrangements for stay, security and transportation.
Some of the incentives include an additional house rent allowance, composite transfer grant, per diem allowance, incentive for period of temporary duty, messing allowance, facility to draw pension at place of settlement in relaxation of relevant provisions.
According to a source who requested anonymity, the government’s decision to join the administration of the Union Territory, notably in the Kashmir Valley, was a wise move. There is virtually any reason to extend it for an additional three years, he noted, given that the government now asserts that the situation has improved.