Hundreds of J&K govt employees awaiting Rs 5,106 Cr in pending retirement benefits

Srinagar, Feb 05: Hundreds of Jammu and Kashmir government employees who have retired over the past two years continue to wait for their gratuity and General Provident Fund (GPF) payments, according to an official government response to a legislative query.

In a written reply to Starred Assembly Question No. 651 tabled by MLA Rameshwar Singh, the J&K government confirmed that "hundreds of employees have superannuated during last two years and their gratuity, GPF and other claims are still pending for disbursement."

The total accrued liability for pending gratuity and GPF claims as of January 31, 2026, stands at ₹1,635 crore and ₹3,471 crore respectively—totaling over ₹5,106 crore.

The government stated that "the bills pertaining to Gratuity and GPF are being cleared periodically, as per availability of resources," but stopped short of providing a specific timeline for clearing the entire backlog.

When questioned about when the outstanding liability would be settled, officials responded that "the clearance of bills pertaining to Gratuity and GPF of employees depends on overall liquidity position of the government."

The revelation highlights the financial constraints facing the Union Territory administration and the hardship experienced by superannuated employees who depend on these statutory benefits for their post-retirement sustenance. Gratuity and GPF payments are legally mandated benefits meant to provide financial security to retiring government servants after decades of public service.

The government's acknowledgment that clearance depends on liquidity raises serious concerns about J&K's fiscal health and its ability to meet basic statutory obligations to its former employees.