At the Centre, it has been decided to extend the concessions and incentives package for employees of the Kashmir Valley by three more years from the 1st of August, 2024. The package is uniform across all ministries, departments and public sector undertakings and is meant to encourage Central government employees to take up posting in the 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley which include Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kupwara, Pulwama, Srinagar, Kulgam, Shopian, Ganderbal and Bandipora. The package provides for among other things; the ferrying of employees’ families to another place of their choice in India at the government’s expense. Those who will be ferrying their families will be offered transport allowances and a composite transfer grant at 80% of their last month’s basic pay. In its stead, those employees who do not want their families to relocate are entitled to a per diem allowance of ₹141 per day to cover extra transportation costs. Also, the government will provide messing allowance at the rate of ₹142.75 per day as is available to Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel. This has been particularly important in the case of pensioners who could not receive their pensions in the Valley, and therefore, can now have their pensions paid outside the region, wherever they have relocated. The Kashmir Valley incentives are vital in enhancing the welfare of government employees as well as the effectiveness of government operations in the region with the Centre promising to enhance its support to its workforce.
Centre Extends Incentives for Kashmir Valley Employees
