SAC meeting tomorrow; reorganization of PDD, employees’ DA increase on agenda

SRINAGAR: The State Administrative Council (SAC)—equivalent to Cabinet in popular government, is all set to meet on Wednesday, October 23, to discuss and clear a number of crucial policy matters including the proposed reorganisation of PDD and enhancement of Dearness Allowance (DA) for its employees.

The meeting to be chaired by Governor Satya Pal Malik and last before the government shifts to Jammu along with Darbar, will be held in Srinagar.

“The crucial issue of reorganising Power Development Department is main agenda of SAC meeting, as the Governor’s administration is willing to complete the process before October 31, when the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh would be formally established,” an official told The News Now.

If the sources are to be believed, the Governor’s administration will divide PDD into three companies (PSUs)–Ladakh Power Distribution Company Limited for Union Territory of Ladakh, Jammu Power Distribution Company Limited and Kashmir Power Distribution Company for Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Moreover, the SAC will also reorganize Jammu and Kashmir State Power Trading Company into territorial jurisdiction of Union Territory of Ladakh and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The commercial aspects, power purchase and SLDC in the territorial jurisdiction of UT of Ladakh be the responsibility of Ladakh Power Distribution/Generation Company. The existing J&K State Power Trading Company will continue to function in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir,” an officials in the know of the matter, added.

“SAC will also clear the uncertainty on fate of employees working in PDD department,” he added. Earlier, the employees had resorted to agitation following the reports of government motive to reorganize PDD sector. “Apart from reorganizing PDD, the SAC is also likely to announce the enhancement of DA for employees ahead of Diwali,” he added.

The centre recently hiked the dearness allowance (DA) by five percentage points for its government employees in a "Diwali gift" that will cost the Centre around Rs 16,000 crore every year. With the hike, central government employees and pensioners will be paid 17 per cent of their basic salary as DA, against 12% earlier.

Dearness allowance is a component of salary paid to individuals to compensate for inflation. For central government employees, the DA is revised twice annually -- in January and July. The SAC will also deliberate on a number of other important issues before it, sources said.

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