The Administration has approved amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme 2022.
These changes will benefit dependents of domiciled Armed and Paramilitary Forces personnel who died in the line of duty. Simultaneously, the amendments will ensure that no benefits, such as compassionate appointments or monetary compensation, are granted to the children of Government servants, who died due to their involvement in terrorist activities.
The Jammu and Kashmir Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme, that came into existence on September 6, 2022, initially provided benefits exclusively to the dependents of the Government employees who “died in harness,” “retired on invalid pension,” or “died as a result of militancy-related actions or due to enemy action on the Line of Control/ International Border within Jammu and Kashmir, and were not involved in militancy-related activities.”
With the recent amendment, the dependent family members of Armed Forces or Paramilitary Forces personnel, domiciled in Jammu and Kashmir, and who died in the line of duty concerning law and order or militancy /terrorist-related actions or due to enemy action, are now eligible for compassionate appointments or monetary compensation.
The term “Armed Forces” as per a Government communication, refers to Navy, Military and Air Forces while as the term “Para-Military Force” refers to a force constituted under any law for the time being in force made by the Competent Legislature.
Additionally, the Administration has mandated that, in cases where a Government employee’s death results from militancy/terrorist action or a law and order situation, the concerned Deputy Commissioner must certify whether the deceased employee was involved in militancy/terrorist-related activities. If the deceased employee is found to be involved in such activities, their wards will not be considered for any benefits.
Furthermore, the Administration has clarified that individuals regularized under current laws in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, but who died before regularization, are ineligible under the scheme.
“Re-employment does not encompass the employment of ex-servicemen before the normal retirement age in a civil post,” an order issued today said.
The amendments made by the Government are deemed to have been incorporated in the scheme ab-initio. (Daily Excelsior)
