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J&K's Diwali Gift: 3-Day Special Leave for Valley Employees Amid PM Package

The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved three days of special casual leave for PM package employees working in the Valley. This allows these migrant employees to travel to Jammu and celebrate Diwali with their families. The PM Package was specifically created to help Kashmiri Pandits return to government service in the region. Meanwhile, the government continues its practice of moving offices between Jammu and Srinagar every six months.

Key Points: J&K Grants PM Package Employees 3-Day Diwali Leave in Kashmir

  • Special leave granted for October 22-24 enabling Diwali celebrations in Jammu
  • PM Package employees primarily consist of Kashmiri Pandit migrants
  • Employees receive equal benefits and streamlined career progression
  • Government previously restored historic Darbar Move tradition between capitals
  • Security concerns led to temporary work-from-home directives earlier
2 min read

J&K govt grants 3-day special casual leave to PM Package employees serving in Kashmir for Diwali celebrations

Jammu and Kashmir government approves special 3-day casual leave for PM package employees serving in Kashmir Valley to celebrate Diwali with families in Jammu.

"Three-day special casual leave is sanctioned for PM package/migrant and employees belonging to Jammu division - J&K General Administration Department"

Srinagar, Oct 23

The Jammu and Kashmir government has sanctioned three-day special casual leave for PM package employees/migrant employees and those belonging to Jammu division and serving in the Valley so that these employees can celebrate Diwali with their families, government officials said.

An order issued by the Jammu and Kashmir General Administration Department said that three-day special casual leave is sanctioned for PM package/migrant and employees belonging to Jammu division and posted in different departments in the Valley on October 22 (Wednesday), October 23 (Thursday) and October 24 (Friday) for celebrating Diwali in Jammu.

It must be mentioned that a special employment package called the PM Package was announced for Kashmiri Pandit migrants so that they could serve in the Valley.

PM package employees in Jammu and Kashmir are primarily Kashmiri Pandit government employees recruited under a special package, with developments including the government's assurance of equal benefits and promotions, as well as temporary work-from-home directives in response to security concerns.

These employees are receiving benefits comparable to other Jammu and Kashmir government employees and have experienced streamlined career progression through measures like the approval of the promotion scheme in July 2022.

The Jammu and Kashmir government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also restored the over one-and-a-half century-old tradition of shuttling top government offices between the twin capitals of Jammu and Srinagar on six-monthly basis.

The practice was started by the Dogra Maharaja Gulab Singh and is called the 'Darbar Move'. The practice was stopped by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in 2021.

The offices which move between Srinagar and Jammu are called the Darbar Move offices and these include the offices of the Chief Minister, his Cabinet colleagues, Chief Secretary, all administrative secretaries, the Office of the Director General of Police (DGP) and many other offices.

This year, these offices will close in Srinagar on October 31 and restart functioning in Jammu on November 3.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good initiative but I hope this isn't just tokenism. These employees face genuine security concerns throughout the year. The government should ensure their permanent safety and not just seasonal benefits.
A
Arjun K
As someone from Jammu, I appreciate this step. The PM package employees are serving in difficult conditions away from their families. This Diwali leave will mean a lot to them and their children. Jai Shri Ram! 🙏
S
Sarah B
Interesting to learn about the Darbar Move tradition. It's fascinating how administrative practices evolve while maintaining cultural continuity. The six-month shift between capitals must be quite an operation!
V
Vikram M
While this is a positive move, I wonder if similar considerations are given to Muslim employees during Eid? Equal treatment for all communities would strengthen national integration in J&K.
A
Ananya R
The PM package has been crucial for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. Small gestures like this Diwali leave show that the government cares about their well-being. May the festival bring light and happiness to all! 🌟

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