SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered the collection of voluntary contributions from government employees towards the Red Cross Fund for the financial year 2025–26, directing that the amount be deducted from salaries in January 2026.
According to an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), all Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) of departments, corporations, public sector undertakings and autonomous bodies in the Union Territory have been instructed to facilitate the contributions from their respective employees.
The order said the Indian Red Cross Society, Jammu and Kashmir, plays a vital role in providing relief during disasters and emergencies and in promoting humanitarian values among vulnerable communities.
As per the contribution matrix notified by the government, employees in Pay Level 13 and above will contribute a minimum of Rs 500 per annum, those in Levels 10 to 12 Rs 400, Levels 6 to 9 Rs 300, Levels 1 to 5 Rs 150, and employees below Level 1 Rs 100. The prescribed amounts are the minimum annual contribution, with officers and officials free to contribute more if they so desire.
In addition, the Chief Minister, Ministers, Secretaries of Administrative Departments and Heads of Departments have been requested to contribute Rs 1,000 per annum.
The government has directed that the contributions be deducted at source from the January 2026 salary and remitted through designated channels. Contributions from district-level offices are to be deposited with the concerned Deputy Commissioners for credit to the District Red Cross Society. Collections from provincial offices will be remitted to the concerned Divisional Commissioners, who will deposit the funds into the Indian Red Cross Society, JK Branch account. Contributions from the Civil Secretariat and other move offices will be credited to the official account maintained by the Director Finance, GAD, who will transfer the amount to the State Red Cross Society through e-transfer.
DDOs have also been instructed to forward statements of deductions to the designated officers for record and reference.
As of the 2024–25 fiscal year, Jammu and Kashmir has over 234,000 government employees.
