Srinagar, Oct 27: Ahead of Durbar Move to Jammu, the State Cabinet which is scheduled to meet here Friday is likely to okay increase in Travelling Allowance (TA) of move employees by Rs 4000 besides enhancement in their Temporary Move Allowance (TMA).
Official sources told Greater Kashmir that Cabinet, which will meet under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, is set to give nod to increase in TA of the move employees from present Rs 6000 to Rs 10,000. “The item is on the agenda,” sources said.
Besides, they said the TMA will also be increased from Rs 650 to Rs 1500.
Officials said there are around five thousand employees working in the secretariat at various levels in different departments. The Cabinet which will meet ahead of closing of the civil secretariat - government’s highest seat of governance - here tomorrow, might also discuss transfer of some senior officials in whose favor the decision is overdue by quite some time.
Among these officials, sources said the transfer of Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar, Samba, Budgam and some other six to eight senior authorities has matured by quite some time now.
While there is a row over revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir, sources said it is not certain whether the issue will come up for discussion in the meeting.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been reiterating that the law will go from certain areas and a decision to this effect will be taken soon. On the other hand Defence Ministry is against the proposed move and now the National Conference’s alliance in the ruling coalition, Congress, has also expressed ts reservation on the issue.
“There is no certainty that the issue (AFSPA revocation) will be discussed in the Cabinet. However, it is upto the Chief Minister. If he brings in the issue, it would be discussed,” senior Congress minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din told Greater Kashmir.
Taj said the cabinet would definitely like to know from the Chief Minister whether the Union Home Ministry, the Defence Ministry, the Congress High command and various security agencies are on board on the issue.
However another Cabinet minister said given the debate on the law in recent past, a discussion on it cannot be completely ruled out.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST