Has J&K Govt Granted Special Leave for Diwali to PM Package Employees?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Three-day special leave granted for Diwali celebrations.
- Applicable to PM Package and migrant employees from Jammu division.
- PM Package supports Kashmiri Pandit migrants.
- Equal benefits and promotions for package employees.
- Historical Darbar Move tradition reinstated.
Srinagar, Oct 23 (NationPress) The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved a three-day special casual leave for PM package and migrant employees, along with those from the Jammu division currently stationed in the Valley. This initiative is aimed at allowing these employees to celebrate Diwali with their families, as stated by government officials.
A directive from the Jammu and Kashmir General Administration Department confirmed that the special leave will be applicable from October 22 (Wednesday) to October 24 (Friday) for the purpose of celebrating Diwali in Jammu.
It is noteworthy that the PM Package was specifically introduced to assist Kashmiri Pandit migrants in finding employment opportunities within the Valley.
Employees under the PM package in Jammu and Kashmir predominantly consist of Kashmiri Pandit government workers hired through this special arrangement. They have been granted equal benefits and promotions, in addition to temporary work-from-home options due to security concerns.
These employees enjoy benefits similar to other government workers in Jammu and Kashmir, experiencing enhanced career progression following the approval of a promotion scheme in July 2022.
The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, has also reinstated the historic practice of transferring essential government offices between Jammu and Srinagar every six months, a tradition known as the 'Darbar Move'. This practice was initiated by Dogra Maharaja Gulab Singh but was halted by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in 2021.
The offices that participate in the Darbar Move include the Chief Minister's office, his Cabinet members, the Chief Secretary, all administrative secretaries, and the Office of the Director General of Police (DGP), among others.
This year, these offices will close in Srinagar on October 31 and will resume operations in Jammu on November 3.