Srinagar/Jammu, Aug 20: Employees of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat, who were promoted under various orders issued on February 24, 2025, have appealed to the authorities for the timely release of corresponding grade benefits. They have cautioned that if their demand is not addressed, they may be compelled to observe a pen-down strike from August 24.
In a joint memorandum submitted to the Secretary, the employees stated that despite the passage of considerable time since the promotion orders (No. 104 to 114-JK(LA) of 2025), the release of grades against the promotional placements has not been implemented. This, they said, has resulted in financial loss, stagnation, and mental distress for the staff.
The employees emphasized that they have been approaching the competent authority on several occasions and were assured that the matter of grade/service benefits would be resolved at the earliest. However, the delay has left them with “no option but to represent our concern in stronger terms.”
“If the legitimate benefit of release of grade in consequence of our promotion/placement is not accorded with retrospective effect from February 24, 2025, on or before August 23, 2025, we shall be constrained to proceed on pen-down strike from August 24,” the memorandum reads.
The employees also clarified that they are not seeking any alternative arrangement or compromise but only the release of their full grade as per the promotions already sanctioned.
Urging urgent consideration, the employees hoped that appropriate orders would be issued without further delay to avoid escalation of the matter.
Report: Mansoor Qadir, ITN.
