Jammu, Dec 6:Despite tall claims made by Union government that the employees of Jammu and Kashmir Ladakh would be getting the benefits under the 7th Pay Commission as granted to the employees of other Union Territories, the employees engaged under SRO-202 are unlikely to get the benefits.
It would be second shocker for the employees engaged under SRO-202 as the first shocker came for them, when the newly created Union Territory administration had protected the SRO-202, which had despite came into being under the Jammu and Kashmir’s Constitution.
Sources in the Finance department informed that though the Union government had made announcements for the payment of several allowances including Transport Allowance under 7th Pay commission but the employees engaged under SRO-202 would not be getting any such benefit of TA.
“The SRO-202, protected under new UT, unambiguously says in section Increments, Dearness Allowances and other Allowances that the persons appointed under these rules shall be entitled to annual increments, Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and City Compensatory allowance, after successful completion of five years service on consolidated salary”, sources said, adding that as per written clauses, the employees were not entitled even for Transport Allowance, which would be paid to other employees and officials of the newly created UT under 7th Pay commission arrears.
An official of Finance department pleading anonymity said that there was complete confusion over the payment of TA to employees engaged under SRO-202 as no clear instructions have been passed by the government. “But as per present circumstances and discussions among various quarters of the government, the SRO-202 employees would unlikely to get the benefits. “In the near future, if the government would take a decision to pay the benefits, then only the SRO-202 employees would get the benefits but so far no such decision has been taken”, the official said, adding that though the SRO-202 employees should be given the benefits but the decision has to be taken by the government.
Pertinently, government has decided to grant Transport Allowance to the employees for various pay levels. For the pay level 9 and above rupees 7200 +DA admissible, level 3 and above but below level 9 Rs 3600 + DA, upto level 2 Rs 1350+DA applicable in cities. For the employees who are posted at other places the rates of TA and DA differ. For pay level 9 and above Rs 3600 + DA, for level 3 and above but below level 9 Rs 1800+DA and upto level 2 Rs 900+DA. However, employees who are drawing pay of Rs 24,200 and above pay level SL 1 to SL 3 are eligible for TA @ 3600+DA in the cities and 1800+DA at other places.