In a significant development for public sector employees, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has approved a 30% increase in the Disparity Reduction Allowance (DRA) for all regular government employees from Basic Pay Scale (BPS) 1 to 22. According to a notification issued by the AJK Finance Department, the revised allowance will take effect from July 1, 2025, with the enhanced salaries to be disbursed starting August 2025.
The increase will be based on the basic pay as of June 30, 2022. However, those appointed after July 1, 2022, will receive the benefit under the 2017 pay scale, ensuring clarity in calculations. The decision excludes contractual or newly hired employees under the 2022 pay framework.
This move mirrors similar action taken earlier by the federal government, aligning AJK’s compensation structure with broader national efforts to address pay disparities across departments. The DRA aims to promote equity among government staff and provide much-needed relief amid ongoing inflationary challenges.
