JAMMU, Feb 13: The Jammu & Kashmir Government revealed in the Legislative Assembly that multiple departments have illegally extended pay scale upgrade benefits to Work Supervisors, breaching statutory rules and jeopardizing pension calculations for numerous retiring staff.
In a written response to MLA Khurshied Ahmad’s query, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, overseeing Finance, highlighted violations of SRO-59 (1990), which was withdrawn in 1996 yet continued post-ban, defying SRO-231 (2003). “Some departments allowed SRO-59 benefits beyond January 15, 1996, in direct contravention,” he stated.
Limited relief offered: Compliant cases will be certified by Drawing and Disbursing Officers and forwarded to the Accountant General for pension fixation.
This stems from prolonged High Court battles by Works and Road Supervisors’ groups over denied dual benefits under SRO-59 and SRO-14. On SRO-149 (1973)—superseded by SRO-91 (1982) but still applied to post-1982 hires—the issue remains sub-judice in the Supreme Court.
Finance clarified that new pay rules inherently supersede priors unless explicitly preserved, per a 2019 Law Department circular enforcing SC’s January 2019 order. Authorities must adhere strictly, leaving many pensions in legal limbo despite the certification pathway.
