FIRDOUS AHMAD
SRINAGAR, Oct 3: In a significant move for government employees, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has revised the House Rent Allowance (HRA) rates across the Union Territory. The decision, taken under the powers conferred by proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution of India, was notified by the Finance Department on Friday.
According to the order (S.O 246), the Lieutenant Governor has directed that effective from January 1, 2024, government employees in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be entitled to HRA as per the revised pay structure, in line with the classification notified by the Central Government.
The revised rates are as follows:
Employees posted in metropolitan cities (X Class Cities) will receive 30% of basic pay as HRA.
Those serving in Srinagar Urban Agglomeration and Jammu Urban Agglomeration (Y Class Cities) will be entitled to 20% of basic pay.
Employees working in other places (Z Class Locations) will be granted 10% of basic pay.
The notification further stated that these amendments have been added as the fifth proviso to rule 4(I) of the Jammu & Kashmir Civil Services (House Rent Allowance and City Compensatory Allowance) Rules, 1992, incorporated in Schedule XXII of the J&K Civil Service Regulations, Vol II.
The order, issued by Santosh D. Vaidya, IAS, Principal Secretary to Government, Finance Department, comes as a major relief for employees who had been seeking revision of allowances to match the Central Government norms.
