Following the increase in the dearness allowance for government employees by the Omar Abdullah administration in Jammu and Kashmir, the J&K Waqf Board has now extended an Eid gift to its staff. The board has significantly raised the salaries and honorariums for its employees, along with enhancing various allowances. This change will benefit 1,200 employees throughout the state.
Huge increase in salary and benefits
As reported by the media, a meeting led by Waqf Board Chairperson Dr. Darakshan Andrabi on Saturday resulted in a decision to increase the salaries of muster sheet, stop-gap arrangement, and consolidated employees by 400 percent, while regular employees, including Imams and Khateebs, will see a 20 percent salary increase. Additionally, the teaching staff at Bibi Halima College of Nursing and Medical Technology will receive a 15 percent salary boost.
Skilled employees will now earn Rs 18,000
The board has categorized the muster sheet, stop-gap arrangement, and integrated employees into three distinct groups. Skilled employees will now earn Rs 18,000, semi-skilled employees Rs 16,000, and unskilled employees Rs 15,000 per month, a significant rise from the previous monthly honorarium of Rs 3,000. Furthermore, there will be a 20 percent salary increase for regular employees, Imams, Khateebs, pensioners, and family pensioners, along with a travel allowance of Rs 3,000 per month for employees in the engineering wing.
Increase of the DA/DR from 239 percent to 246 percent
Recently, the Omar Abdullah government had also raised the dearness allowance for employees and pensioners under the Sixth Pay Commission by 7 percent, resulting in an increase of the DA/DR from 239 percent to 246 percent. These new rates will take effect from July 1, 2024, and it has been decided that the arrears from the additional installment will be distributed in cash in March 2025, covering the period from July 2024 to February 2025, and will be included in the monthly salary and pension.