Srinagar, Sept 24 (KNS): The government of Jammu and Kashmir has asked the Drawing and Disbursing officers and treasury officers if the them state to recover excess amount worth over Rs 43 crore released in favour of the employees and officials deployed for the conduct of Municipal and Panchayat elections in 2018.

The government, in an order, a copy of which lies with Kashmir News Service (KNS) has stated that the excess amount made in favour of these employees and officials does not include in the definition of salary in terms of Article 27 (b) of J&K Civil Services Regulations (Volume-I).

The order states that it has come to fore that in terms of Article 27 (b) of J&K Civil Services Regulations (Volume-I), the definition of salary does not include local allowances, HRA, deputation allowance, travelling allowance and the payment of these allowances in favour of concerned employees was wrongly made, and has resulted in excess payment of Rs. 43.29 Crores, which needs to be recovered from these officers and officials and also from the employees who in the meanwhile retired on superannuation. 

“Whereas, pursuant to State Administrative Council Decision No. 55/10/2018 dated 31.08.2018, the General Administration Department in terms of Government Order No. 1789-GAD of 2018 dated 20.12.2018, sanctioned one month additional salary, wages, remuneration as the case may be, in favour of employees deployed for conduct of Municipal and Panchayat Elections, 2018 or both,” the order reads. 

It reads that the DDO's across the then State drew one month additional salary in favour of the employees as per their interpretation of the above Government Order.

“The Principal Accountant General, J&K sought a clarification on the admissibility of various allowances while drawing one month additional salary in favour of these employees of the erstwhile State Government, since many Drawing and Disbursing Officers paid allowances like HRA/CCA etc. as a part of the salary in pursuance of the Government Order ibid,” the order reads. 

The order further stated that in light of the background narrated herein above, it is ordered that the excess amount paid to any employee deployed or associated with the conduct of Municipal and Panchayat Elections, 2018, which is not covered under the definition of salary shall immediately be recovered from these employees and pensioners by the concerned DDOs and TOs. (KNS)