JAMMU, Dec 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Government today decided to implement the 5th Pay Commission report for its employees.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah here.

Announcing the decision chief secretary Ashok Jaitly said the employees would draw their salaries as per new scales from ist january 1998. New scales shall be effective from January 1996.

As regards the arrears from January 1,1996, to December 31,1997, the state government will seek financial help from the Centre in view of paucity of resources to meet the additional burden immediately. However, it is likely that the employees will get the first instalment in April ,1998, he said.The decision will cause an additional burden of Rs 300 crore annually and about Rs 500 crore to clear the arrears.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.