The Jammu and Kashmir government has raised the pay scale for Panchayat Secretaries, benefiting thousands of rural officials. The decision aims to strengthen rural governance and improve service delivery in villages.

Details of the Pay Upgrade

A senior official said that Village Level Workers (VLWs), Multi-Purpose Workers (MPWs), and Gram Sevikas—all serving as Panchayat Secretaries—will now receive Pay Level-4 (Rs 25,500–81,100) instead of Pay Level-2 (Rs 19,900–63,200). The increase is effective immediately.

All current staff will move to the new pay level, regardless of how long they have served. Future recruitment for Panchayat Secretary positions will start directly at Pay Level-4, ensuring better compensation for new hires.

Changes to Civil Service Rules

The administration said it will remove the special provision under Rule 9(G) of the J&K Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 1992, which previously applied to VLWs. The recruitment rules will be updated to reflect this change.

Government Approval and Impact

The Finance Department formally approved the order on May 15, 2025. Officials said the pay hike will boost morale and attract talent to rural administration.

Experts say the move strengthens grassroots governance and supports the Union Territory’s development programs. The government expects improved efficiency and better delivery of public services at the village level.