SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has issued a directive ensuring that employees recruited under the JK Special Recruitment Rules, 2015 (SRO-202) are now eligible for annual increments and allowances upon completing two years of service, following amendments made in 2020.
The clarification addresses concerns raised by employees and a legislative question regarding the denial of these entitlements by certain Drawing and Disbursing Officers, despite existing government amendments and prior clarifications.
The Chenab Times has learned that the amendments, specifically notified via S.O. 194 on June 17, 2020, revised the probation period for SRO-202 appointees. This new provision replaced the earlier five-year probation stipulated in the 2015 rules, reducing it to two years. Consequently, employees are now entitled to receive annual increments, Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and City Compensatory Allowance (CCA) after successfully completing this revised two-year period, during which they serve on a consolidated salary.
Uniform Implementation Emphasized
Further directives from the General Administration Department, issued on October 27, 2020, and May 5, 2022, reinforced that these financial benefits are admissible after the completion of the amended probation period. This clarification aims to standardize the application of these rules across all government departments within the Union Territory.
The government acknowledged that some departments, including Animal & Sheep Husbandry, JK Police, and the Agriculture Department, have already aligned their practices with the amended rules and have begun granting the benefits. However, the release of increments and the formal confirmation of probation are still subject to departmental recruitment rules and the broader provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956.
Notional and Monetary Benefits
For employees who were appointed prior to July 1, 2020, the revised framework allows for notional benefits to be applied retrospectively up to June 30, 2020. Monetary benefits, however, will be effective from July 1, 2020, onwards. A prerequisite for receiving these benefits is that the employees must furnish an undertaking, accepting the revised terms and conditions of their service.
The government reiterated its stance that, in light of the amendments and subsequent clarifications, all SRO-202 appointees are entitled to their increments and allowances after the stipulated two-year service period. Their services may also be declared quasi-permanent upon successful completion of probation, provided they meet all prescribed conditions. This directive seeks to address disparities and ensure equitable treatment for all employees appointed under the SRO-202 framework, fostering a more uniform and transparent administrative system.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
