State directed to release salary of Gazetted Officers of HC

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 31: In the petition filed by Gazetted Officers of High Court challenging Group Mediclaim Insurance policy on compulsory basis, Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir today directed the State to release the salary of Gazetted Officers.
In the petition, Government Order No.07-FD dated January 9, 2014 wherein Government has introduced a Group Mediclaim Insurance policy on compulsory basis for the gazetted employees was challenged. “The insurance policy is in violation of existing provisions of the Notification dated 14th June, 1990”, the petitioners said, adding “in  the Government Order dated 09.01.2014, it is specifically mentioned in para M of the scheme that expenditure beyond Rs 5 lakh shall be reimbursed  by the Government as per the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Medical ( Attendance cum Allowances) Rules, 1990”.
“The petitioners are eligible to claim reimbursement without spending or paying any premium and the policy has been framed to benefit the private insurance companies”, the petition said, adding “in the Group Mediclaim Insurance Policy it is specifically mentioned that a dependent who is above the age of 80 years is not covered under the scheme  whereas in the existing provision of SRO 203 no such bar is mentioned”.
After hearing Joginder Singh in person, Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir issued notice to Commissioner/Secretary Finance. In the meanwhile, High Court ordered that the salary of Gazetted officers of High Court shall be drawn and released irrespective of Government Order No 07-FD of 2014 dated January 1, 2014.

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