Family members of a missing government employee or pensioner in Jammu & Kashmir are now eligible to apply for various entitlements. These entitlements may include family pension, salary arrears, leave encashment, and the remaining amount of general provident fund (GPF) and gratuity.
As per the recent amendment to the Jammu & Kashmir Civil Services Regulations, 1956, this application can be made six months after lodging a police report.
Under the previous provision, the family could receive the initial payments of salary arrears, leave encashment, and GPF based on the employee’s nomination. After one year, additional benefits such as DCRG and family pension could be granted.
However, the updation procedure allows the family of a missing employee or pensioner to apply for these benefits to the head of office of the relevant department where the employee or pensioner last served. If this application is made within six months of the police report being lodged, the administrative department may sanction family pension and retirement gratuity.
Therefore, for a missing employee, family pension accrues from the leave expiry date or the last date of pay and allowances, or the date of the police report—whichever is later. Similarly, for missing pensioners or family pensioners, it accrues from the police report date or immediately succeeding date to the last pension payment date.
The update also clarifies that the retirement gratuity is to be paid within three months of the application date. In case of delays, interest will be paid, and responsibility for the delay will be determined. Any difference between death gratuity and retirement gratuity will be paid after conclusive confirmation of the employee’s death or after seven years from the police report date.
Additionally, before granting gratuity payment, the Head of Office must assess outstanding government dues and recover them according to J&K CSR, Vol. I, Article 168-AA, and other relevant instructions.
