The central government has announced major relief for railway employees posted in the Kashmir Valley. Under a new order issued on 29 April 2025, the special concessions and incentives available to these employees will continue for the next three years i.e. from 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2027.
This decision is a way to acknowledge the dedication and difficult circumstances of those personnel who are handling the security and administrative system of the country.
What does the new order say?
According to the order of the Railway Board (RBE No. 34/2025), railway employees working in the valley will also be entitled to the same benefits as employees of other ministries and departments. These special concessions have been extended on the basis of the order of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoP&T) and will be applicable mutatis mutandis i.e. with the same conditions.
Relief has been given earlier also
This is not the first time that such facility has been given to the employees posted in the valley. In September 2022 also, the government had extended these special incentives for three years, which are valid from August 1, 2021 till July 31, 2024.
10 districts of Kashmir — Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kupwara, Pulwama, Srinagar, Kulgam, Shopian, Ganderbal and Bandipora — come under the purview of this scheme.
What are these special concessions?
- Facility to transfer family:
Employees will have an option to move their families to a selected place of their choice in India at government expenses and transport allowance for the families allowed as admissible in permanent transfer inclusive of the Composite Transfer Grant at the rate of 80% of the last month’s basic pay.
- Per Diem Allowance:
Those employees who do not wish to move their families to a selected place of residence are paid per diem allowance of Rs 113 per day for each day of attendance to compensate for any additional expense in transportation from to and from office etc., which is at par with the reimbursement of travel charges for travel within the city in terms of the Department of Expenditure.
- Additional House Rent Allowance:
Those employees who opt to move their families to selected place of their choice in India are not eligible for per diem allowance since they avail the benefits of Composite Transfer Grant at the rate of 80 per cent of the last month’s basic pay.
- Security and transport facilities:
The Departmental arrangements for stay, security and transportation to the place of work for employees.
Summing up…
The Centre’s move shows that it acknowledges the challenges faced by employees serving in a sensitive area like the Kashmir Valley and is committed to providing them the necessary support. The extension of these concessions will not only boost the morale of the employees but will also help in maintaining better administrative system in the Valley.