The Jammu and Kashmir Government today approved that a retiring state employee will draw salary with the same rate of dearness allowance (DA) as applicable to Central government employees on that date.

The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting here which was headed by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

“The government approved that the salary for the month in which a state government employee reaches the age of superannuation, shall be drawn at such rate of DA as would be applicable to a Central government employee on that date,” an official statement issued here said.

“The decision was taken as in the last many years, the DA announced for Central government employees has also been released in favour of state government employees, although belated at times.

In respect of employees on the verge of retirement, the belated release of DA only added to avoidable difficulties, particularly the need to furnish the pension case once again to Accounts General’s office and state government for authorisation of residual gratuity,” the spokesperson said.