Issue of regularizing daily wagers in Jammu and Kashmir: Challanges involved!!!
Samba Times Special
The issue of regularizing daily wagers in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is both sensitive and complex, intertwining humanitarian concerns with significant financial implications.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent announcement to establish a committee under Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to devise a roadmap for this process within six months highlights the administration’s commitment to address this longstanding challenge.
Sensitivity of the Issue
Daily wagers, including casual laborers, have been integral to the functioning of various government departments in J&K for decades. Despite their crucial roles, many have worked under precarious conditions without job security or adequate benefits. Their prolonged service without regularization has led to feelings of neglect and frustration, making this issue not just a matter of policy but one of social justice and employee welfare. The government’s recognition of this as a humanitarian concern reflects the need to acknowledge and rectify the hardships faced by these workers.
“This is a humanitarian, not just a financial issue,” says CM. Budget 2025 lays the foundation for a self-reliant J&K, addressing challenges realistically. CM calls the budget a “love letter” to the people, aiming for dignity, empowerment, and financial self-sufficiency.
Acknowledges Central Govt support while focusing on local revenue generation through tourism, industrial estates, and entrepreneurship.
Financial Constraints
Regularizing a substantial number of daily wagers presents significant financial challenges. In 2017, the government announced plans to regularize 60,000 daily wagers and casual laborers, many of whom had served their departments for over two decades. Such large-scale regularization requires careful financial planning to ensure that the state’s budget can accommodate the increased expenditure on salaries, benefits, and pensions. Without meticulous fiscal strategies, there’s a risk of straining public finances, which could impact other developmental initiatives.
Number of Daily Wagers in J&K
Estimates regarding the number of daily wagers in J&K have varied over the years. In 2014, reports indicated that the state government was set to regularize the services of around 40,000 daily wagers.
By 2017, the number mentioned for regularization had risen to 60,000.
Specific departments, such as the Power Development Department (PDD), have also reported significant numbers;
in 2022, there were approximately 11,000 daily wagers in the PDD alone awaiting regularization.
These figures highlight the extensive reliance on daily wagers across various sectors in the region.
Dependence on Central Support
Given the financial magnitude of regularizing such a large workforce, the support of the central government becomes crucial. While J&K aims to enhance local revenue generation through tourism, industrial estates, and entrepreneurship, the immediate fiscal burden of regularization may necessitate additional funding or grants from the central government. Historically, central assistance has played a pivotal role in supporting J&K’s developmental and administrative expenditures. Therefore, collaborative efforts between the state and central governments are essential to ensure the successful implementation of the regularization process without compromising other critical areas of public service and infrastructure development.
Conclusion
Addressing the plight of daily wagers in J&K is a multifaceted endeavor that requires balancing humanitarian considerations with fiscal responsibility. The formation of the committee under Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo is a proactive step towards formulating a comprehensive policy. However, the complexity of the issue necessitates a collaborative approach, involving both state and central governments, to achieve a sustainable and equitable solution that honors the contributions of daily wagers while maintaining fiscal prudence.
Rahul Sambyal ✍️
Executive Editor
Samba Times
