The Jammu and Kashmir [Images] government has announced special incentives for its employees doing poll duties for the assembly polls being held from November 17.

"The government has accorded sanction to the payment of ex-gratia relief in favour of government employees including security and police personnel deployed for election duties in connection with elections to the state legislative assembly," an official statement in Srinagar [Images] said.

"The ex-gratia amount in case of death would be Rs. 10 lakh, Rs. 5 lakh in case of permanent disability and Rs. 1 lakh in case of partial disability, ex-gratia relief shall also be provided to the drivers and conductors of hired private vehicles detailed for election duty by the election authorities, police and security forces," The stetment said.

The order further says that "the next of the kin of a government employee who may get killed during the election duty shall be entitled to compassionate appointment in terms of SRO-43 of 1994."
 
Polling for the ten assembly constituencies for the first phase is scheduled for November 17.

The state has been in the throes of a violent agitation triggered by the Amarnath land row which has claimed over 45 lives in the valley and is still refusing to die down.

Various political parties in the state including the People's Democratic Party had opined that the situation in the state was not conducive, and had favoured poll deferment till early next year.