New Delhi: In a major relief post the abrogation of the Article 370 of the Constitution on August 6, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government on Tuesday approved the proposal of payment of all 7th Central Pay Commission allowances to the government employees of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh. The government employees of the new Union Territories will get salaries and other benefits as per the recommendations of the 7th CPC from October 31, officials said.

Home Minister Amit Shah has approved the proposal which shall come into existence from month-end. The government believes this move will go a long way in bringing Kashmiris to the mainstream. The Union Home Ministry has issued the necessary orders in this regard.

"Union Home Ministry has issued orders in this regard. The move will benefit 4.5 lakh government employees who are working in the existing state of Jammu and Kashmir and will become the employees of UT of Jammu and Kashmir and UT of Ladakh from 31st October, 2019 (sic.)," said a government note.

The annual financial implication of it shall be tentatively Rs 4,800 crore and will be in the form of Children Education Allowance, Hostel Allowance, Transport Allowance, LTC, Fixed Medical Allowance and others for the 4.5 lakh employees.

While Children Education Allowance is pegged to be at Rs 607 crore; Hostel Allowance is slated to be Rs 1,823 crore; Transport Allowance, Leave Travel Concession (LTC) and Fixed Medical Allowance will incur Rs 1,200 crore, Rs 1,000 crore and Rs 108 crore respectively. While Rs 62 crore has been kept for other allowances.

The central government had on August 5 announced the abrogation of the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and its bifurcation into two UTs.

(with inputs from agencies)