Srinagar, Jun (JKNS): A high-level delegation of the Jammu & Kashmir Employees Coordination Committee (JKECC), led by its President Shah Fayaz, today met the Hon’ble Chairperson and Members of the 8th Central Pay Commission during their visit to Srinagar and submitted a comprehensive memorandum highlighting the aspirations, concerns, and long-pending demands of government employees, pensioners, contractual workers, scheme-based employees, public sector employees, and frontline workers across Jammu & Kashmir.
The delegation, comprising Shah Fayaz (President, JKECC), Altaf Rasool (Secretary General Organizational Affairs), and Aijaz Ahmad Dar (Chief Spokesperson, JKECC), collectively presented the concerns and recommendations of employees from various departments and sectors of the Union Territory before the Commission.
Describing the memorandum as one of the most comprehensive employee representations submitted before the Commission, the JKECC emphasized the need for a progressive, employee-friendly, and region-sensitive approach while framing recommendations for the 8th Central Pay Commission.
Addressing the Commission, the delegation stated that employees in Jammu & Kashmir continue to serve under challenging geographical, climatic, and administrative conditions, including snowbound regions, difficult terrains, border areas, and remote locations. Despite these challenges, employees have remained committed to ensuring uninterrupted governance and public service delivery.
The Committee strongly advocated for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), describing it as a matter of social security, post-retirement dignity, and financial stability. The delegation emphasized that pensions should be treated as a guaranteed social security right rather than a market-linked financial instrument.
Among the major demands placed before the Commission were:A realistic fitment factor under the 8th Central Pay Commission. Removal of pay anomalies and disparities. Time-bound career progression opportunities.
Strengthening of ACP/MACP mechanisms.
Regularization of long-serving temporary and contractual workers.
Implementation of equitable pay structures across all categories of employees.
The JKECC delegation also sought special consideration for Jammu & Kashmir by recommending:
Introduction of a Special Hill Allowance.Border Area Allowance.Winter and Snowbound Area Allowance.Regional Hardship Allowance. Risk Allowance for Jammu & Kashmir Police personnel at par with Central Armed Police Forces.
The memorandum further highlighted the issues of employees working in Public Sector Undertakings, Autonomous Bodies, Corporations, and Centrally Sponsored Schemes, including Samagra Shiksha, National Health Mission (NHM), ATMA, and other welfare and development programmes. The Committee urged the Commission to ensure that these employees are brought within the ambit of pay revision, social security, and career progression benefits.
Special attention was also drawn to the concerns of teachers, vocational trainers, women employees, frontline workers, pensioners, and families of deceased employees. JKECC demanded enhanced gratuity benefits, compassionate appointment reforms, educational support for dependents, subsidized housing facilities, health security measures, and improved welfare provisions for retired employees.
The delegation additionally proposed reforms in the JKHRMS system, time-bound settlement of employee grievances, strengthening of digital governance mechanisms, and recognition of employee representative bodies in consultations related to service conditions and welfare policies.
Speaking after the meeting, Shah Fayaz expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Commission for providing an opportunity to present the collective voice of employees from Jammu & Kashmir. He stated that the 8th Central Pay Commission represents a historic opportunity not merely for pay revision but for addressing issues of social justice, dignity, career progression, pension security, and employee welfare.
The JKECC leadership expressed confidence that the Commission would give due consideration to the unique circumstances of Jammu & Kashmir and recommend measures that strengthen the morale, financial security, and welfare of employees and pensioners while contributing to better governance and public service delivery. (JKNS)