Jammu Kashmir
Irregular Pay Upgrades to Work Supervisors Under Scanner; Govt Says Benefits Granted Against Rules
The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that several departments had granted pay scale upgradation benefits to Work Supervisors in violation of statutory rules, leading to complications in pension fixation for many retiring employees.
In a written reply to a question raised by MLA Khurshied Ahmad, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that benefits under SRO-59 of 1990 continued to be extended even after the notification was withdrawn in 1996, despite clear prohibitory orders issued subsequently.
He said that certain departments allowed benefits of SRO-59 dated February 6, 1990, even beyond its withdrawal on January 15, 1996, which is in contravention of SRO-231 of 2003.
However, the government indicated limited relief in cases where the benefits were granted strictly as per rules. It said that such pension cases would be forwarded to the Accountant General with proper certification from the concerned Drawing and Disbursing Officer.
The clarification comes amid prolonged litigation by associations of Work Supervisors and Road Supervisors, who had approached the High Court challenging the denial of dual benefits under SRO-59 and SRO-14.
