MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Gazetted Officers Association has expressed concern over the government not taking their issues seriously as they warned the latter to do the needful until August 25 or face the music.
The association, in the light of its July 4 meeting, presented a charter of demand to the government, seeking major relief for the government employees.
The Charter of Demands issued by General Secretary of the association on July 21 demanded of the AJK government to call the selection board/selection committees meetings to fill the vacant posts in the state departments. Otherwise, they said, they will have no option but to approach the Supreme Court to get its verdict implemented.
AJK police
The demands came on the heels of the AJK police protesting to press the government to meet their demands.
In the Charter of Demands, the association highlighted the disparity in salaries and allowances of the government employees which they said, was promoting class system.
To discourage this system, the officers demanded, the department-specific allowances be implemented as per the 2022 scale.
The association also demanded that the state employees be given allowances on the pattern of allowances being given to the Secretariat employees to end disparity.
It also sought immediate appointments on the seats meant to be filled under a direct quota through Public Service Commission instead of ad-hoc or temporary appointments.
The association also demanded legislation for restructuring of Common Pool Service Cadre adding that IRD and Accounts also be included in the pool.
The charter of demands also included grant of full financial and administrative autonomy to the independent state departments established under specific laws or bear the burden of the employees’ salaries and pensions.
The association also urged the government to immediately start senior management courses and career management courses at the Kashmir Institute of Management for the employees of all state departments.
The association also sought allotment of government residences purely on merit.
It also sought a clear policy on deputation and transfer cases. The organisation also demanded that all the AJK organisations be taken into confidence on the matters of Behbood Fund and Group Insurance and ensure that all employees get their dues immediately after retirement.
They also demanded Field Duty Allowance for employees of certain departments.
The association also demanded that a ‘death package’ be introduced to help the heirs of those laying their lives in the line of duty.
It also sought setting up Day Care Centres at the state departments for women.
The association warned that in case the government didn’t resolve their issues until August 25, they will have no option but to announce the next line of action.
It is to mention here that employees of different government departments in AJK are currently on strike and pressing the government to meet their demands.
