Seeks pay parity with Central Govt ministerial cadre
SRINAGAR: The Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh All Departments Clerical Staff Association (Ministerial Federation) on Monday met the Chairman and Members of the Eighth Pay Commission at SKICC, Srinagar, and formally presented long-pending demands and grievances of the Ministerial/Clerical Cadre employees of the Union Territory.
The delegation, led by Federation President Mr. Jeelani Naik, was accompanied by Mr. Mir Muzaffaer (Vice President), Mr. S. Gurmeet Singh (Prov. President), Mr. Mir Basharat (Observer/Chairman SENTEF), Mr. Jagdesh Thakur (Prov. General Secretary), Mohammad Ashraf (Prov. President SENTEF), and Mr. Asif Habib (Publicity Secretary).
The delegation urged the Commission to address critical disparities in pay scales, promotional structures, and service conditions that have persisted for decades, placing J&K UT ministerial employees at a significant disadvantage compared to their Central Government counterparts.
Key Demands
1. Higher Fitment Factor & Annual Increment: The Federation demanded a fitment factor of minimum 3.50 to 3.88 on basic pay as on December 31, 2025, and doubling the annual increment rate from 3% to a minimum of 6% to keep pace with inflation.
2. Pay Parity with Central Government Ministerial Cadre: Noting that Section Officers in J&K are placed at Pay Level 7 compared to Level 8 (with Level 9 after 4 years) for Central Government employees, Assistant Section Officers at Level 6B vs Level 7, and MTS at SL-1 (₹14,800) vs Level 1 (₹18,000), the Federation demanded immediate pay parity.
3. Reduction of Promotion Tiers & Entry Level Pay Upgrade: The Federation demanded reduction from the current four-tier promotion structure to two or three tiers. Additionally, the entry-level Junior Assistant post should be upgraded from Pay Level 5 to Level 6 (₹35,400-1,12,400) at par with Accounts Assistants and Junior Statistical Assistants.
4. Unified Ministerial Service & Cadre Management: The Federation called for constitution of a ‘Jammu & Kashmir UT Ministerial Service’ as a unified, codified service covering all Junior Assistants, Senior Assistants, Head Assistants, and Section Officers under a single Cadre Controlling Authority.
5. Enhanced MACP: The Federation demanded five upgradations (at 8, 15, 22, 28, and 33 years) instead of the current three upgradations (at 10, 20, 30 years).
6. Financial & Service Improvements: Demands included HRA revision to 30/20/10% for X/Y/Z cities; DA merger with basic pay when it crosses 50%; PC Advance of ₹1,00,000 and House Building Advance of ₹50,00,000; Fixed Medical Allowance raised from ₹300 to ₹3,000 per month; Paternity Leave enhanced from 15 days to 60 days; Earned Leave cap raised from 300 to 400 days; and pension commutation restoration period reduced from 15 years to 10 years.
The Committee gave a patient hearing and assured to consider the issues while framing recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission.