Srinagar, Sep 25 (IANS): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday announced salary incentive to its employees discharging election duties and a likely increase in pay packets of special police officers (SPOs).

The government announced a month's salary as incentive to employees deputed for election duty, Chief Secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam said.

Addressing the media, he said 400 additional companies of paramilitary forces would reach the state to provide security for the conduct of municipal elections beginning on October 8.

The Chief Secretary claimed that the tendency to resign from their job among the SPOs was restricted to some areas in the Kashmir Valley.

"Very soon the monthly salaries of the SPOs will be enhanced. In a day or two, you will see a quantum jump in the salaries of the SPOs."

Subrahmanyam said that according to the 14th Finance Commission award, the state would lose Rs 4,335 crore if the municipal and panchayat polls were not held.

He said the urban body polls will include 79 municipalities, including two municipal corporations of Jammu and Srinagar cities.

Polling will also be held in 4,519 panchayats in November-December.

At present, SPOs form the lowest rung of the state police department and are given a fixed monthly pay packet of Rs 6,000.

The killings of SPOs by militants have sparked fear, especially in south Kashmir, leading some to announce their resignation on the social media.