On 17th June 2020, The Jammu & Kashmir Administration approved the Agriculture Production Department’s proposal to change its nomenclature to “Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare Department” and announced new rules for appointments to various posts.
Reason for the rename:
i.The purpose for the proposal to rename the department is not only to address the role of the agricultural productions but also to focus on farmer’s welfare and help to evaluate the value of their produce.
ii.Focusing on Farmers welfare, the department extends its role beyond extension activities and on-farm activities.
iii.The decision of J&K administration lines with the centre’s decision in renaming the Ministry of Agriculture as the “Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare”.
New Rules for Appointment:
i.This new rules for appointment is known as “Jammu and Kashmir Probationer (condition of Service, Pay and Allowances) and Fixation of Tenure Rules,2020”
ii.Under the new Rules:
- The probation period of the new appointees is reduced to 2 years from 5 years.
- The new appointees are entitled to annual increment, dearness allowance, house rent allowance and city compensatory allowance and others which are sanctioned by the government after the probation period.
- After the initial appointment the new appointees should serve the fixed five-year tenure.
About J&K General Administration Department:
Lieutenant Governor– G.C. Murmu
Chief Secretary J&K– B.V.R. Subrahmanyam
