J&K Employee Delegation Meets Cabinet Secretary at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Seeks Redressal of Key Service Issues

Delhi, August 25 (PTK) In a significant and historic development, a high-level delegation of the Jammu & Kashmir Employees Coordination Committee (JKECC) and Jammu & Kashmir Teachers Association (JKTA), led by Shah Fayaz, President JKECC and Chairman JKTA, met Shri T. V. Somanathan, the Hon’ble Cabinet Secretary, Government of India, and Principal Advisor to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

During the meeting, the delegation put forth a comprehensive charter of issues and concerns pertaining to the welfare of employees across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The key issues highlighted before the Hon’ble high-level officer included:

1. Constitution of the 8th Pay Commission at the earliest to address the pressing needs of employees in view of rising inflation and cost of living.

2. Merger of 50% Dearness Allowance with Basic Pay to provide immediate relief to employees and pensioners.

3. Formation of a Permanent Pay Commission to ensure a regular and institutionalized mechanism for timely redressal of service and salary-related issues.

4. Reforms in the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) with the aim of bringing it at par with the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), ensuring security and dignity post-retirement.

5. Resolution of issues pertaining to contractual employees working in various departments, including their regularization and job security.

6. Other prominent service matters of employees relating to welfare, promotional avenues, and other relevant concerns.

The Hon’ble Cabinet Secretary gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured that some of the issues are being genuinely considered by the Government of India, while the other concerns raised would be given due consideration at the appropriate level. He acknowledged the significance of the issues highlighted and appreciated the constructive approach of the leadership in presenting them.

Shah Fayaz expressed gratitude to Shri T. V. Somanathan for the patient audience and reiterated that the employees’ fraternity of Jammu & Kashmir pins high hopes on the Government of India for an early and positive redressal of these issues.

He reaffirmed his forum’s commitment to continue pursuing the genuine issues of employees through democratic and constructive engagement with the authorities at every level.(PTK)