Jammu and Kashmir: Exemptions and facilities for central personnel posted in Kashmir extended for the next three years

The 'Department of Personnel and Training', Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India has provided special exemptions/facilities to the Central Government employees working in the attached/subordinate offices or Public Sector Undertakings of Kashmir Valley. These facilities will be applicable for three years from August 1, 2021. This incentive package is equally applicable to all Ministries/Departments and Public Sector Undertakings under the Government of India. They should ensure strict adherence to the rates fixed in this package. The concerned Ministries and Departments should ensure implementation and monitoring of compliance of the package as per this approved package. Such court cases, in which judgments are given against this package, may be challenged by the concerned Ministry/Department. Ten districts of the Kashmir Valley, which include Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kupwara, Pulwama, Srinagar, Kulgam, Shopian, Ganderbal and Bandipora, will get the above facilities/exemptions for central employees working here.

These personnel have the option of taking their family to a selected place of their choice in India at Government expense. Traveling Allowance for family is admissible at par with permanent transfer. Along with this, a lump sum amount will also be available for transportation and packing of personal goods etc. The composite transfer grant is up to 80 per cent of the basic salary of the previous month.

Departmental arrangements will be made for the employees for lodging, security and access to the workplace. Employees opting for their choice will get 'HRA' (16 per cent of basic pay) at the same rate as applicable Category 'Y' city. Such employees will also be eligible for normal HRA at their place of posting, provided departmental arrangements are not made for them. In case the period of temporary duty of an employee is extended by six months, the facility of lodging, security and transportation for him shall be provided by the Department. In addition to this departmental arrangement, daily allowance is admissible at full rate.

Daily allowance has been arranged for those employees posted in Kashmir Valley who do not want to take their families to the selected accommodation. He is paid Rs 113 as per day allowance to reimburse any additional expenditure in commuting to office. This allowance is in addition to the transport allowance which is equivalent to reimbursement of traveling charges for intra-city travel as per Expenditure Department's.

Employees who choose to shift their families to the selected place of their choice in India are not eligible for per day allowance, as they avail the composite transfer grant  80 per cent of the basic pay of the previous month .

As food allowance, Rs 97.85 per day is given to all central employees posted in Jammu and Kashmir, equivalent to the ration money given to the CAPFs. Such pensioners of the Kashmir Valley, who are unable to get their monthly pension from public sector banks or Pay and Accounts Office and Treasury, have been given relaxation in the relevant provisions. Outside the Valley, where they are presently settled, they are given pension there. These personnel get 'Kashmir Valley Special Incentive' if temporary duty is extended for six months. They are provided departmental arrangements for food charges, lodging, security and transportation along with 'Kashmir Valley Special Incentive' as per the Seventh Pay Commission. Pay Level 14 and above Rs 9,000 per month (pro-rata basis), Level 12 and Level 13 employees Rs 8,000, Level 9 to Level 11 level 7 thousand, Level 6 to level Rs. 6 thousand rupees up to 8 and 4500 rupees per month to the employees in the pay scale of level five and below.