Srinagar, Feb 06: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday announced that his government is finalising a structured roadmap for the regularisation of daily wagers and casual labourers, offering renewed hope to nearly 60,000 workers across Jammu and Kashmir who have spent decades in government service without job security or social protection.
Speaking during his budget speech in the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister acknowledged the long and often overlooked contribution of daily wagers. “My government is committed to taking care of those who have given the prime years of their life to public service. We will examine the Cabinet Sub-Committee’s report in detail and move forward in a structured and phased manner,” Omar said, though he did not provide a specific timeline.
The announcement is significant as the issue of daily wager regularisation has remained unresolved for years, despite repeated assurances by successive governments. These workers, engaged across departments such as Public Works, Power Development, Irrigation, Forests, and Urban Local Bodies, have often completed 20 to 30 years of service on meagre wages without pensions, gratuity, or other benefits.
In a press conference later, Omar Abdullah stressed that the government aims to avoid ad-hoc decisions and ensure the policy is legally sound, fiscally sustainable, and humane. “We do not want this issue to end up in court. Hence, we will implement it in a phased manner,” he said.
The Cabinet Sub-Committee has already reviewed service records, departmental requirements, and eligibility criteria. Officials said the roadmap will prioritise the longest-serving daily wagers while maintaining compliance with court directions and financial realities.
For daily wagers, the Chief Minister’s announcement has sparked cautious optimism. Ghulam Nabi, a worker from the Public Works Department, said, “We have spent our youth working for the government, building roads and maintaining offices, but our children still ask about our future. This roadmap could finally give dignity to our labour.” Nazir Ahmad from north Kashmir echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for clear policy and timely implementation.
As the budget session continues, the focus will now shift to how quickly the government translates this commitment into concrete action, potentially ending decades of uncertainty for tens of thousands of daily wagers who have kept the wheels of governance turning.
