Srinagar, Sept 21: The Jammu & Kashmir government on Monday said the committee constituted to examine the regularisation of casual, seasonal, daily-rated and other temporary workers has not yet submitted its final report, as the issue continues to be examined from legal, financial, administrative and humanitarian perspectives.
Replying to a question by MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone during the sixth session of the J&K Legislative Assembly, the government said the committee was constituted vide Government Order No. 384-JK(GAD) of 2025 dated March 19, 2025, to examine the matter relating to casual, seasonal and other temporary, contractual and need-based workers engaged in different departments.
The issue assumes significance as daily wagers and other temporary workers have been holding protests and repeatedly seeking regularisation of their services and a clear policy for their future.
The government said the committee had been tasked with examining various issues, including humanitarian, legal and financial aspects related to the regularisation of these workers.
“The matter involved a diverse set of workers engaged at different points in time under varying terms and conditions of engagement,” the reply reads. “Therefore, the proposed policy is required to conform to the applicable statutory provisions, legal position, prescribed recruitment framework while duly accounting for the consequential financial implications.”
The committee, it added, was undertaking a comprehensive examination for formulation of a uniform framework that would be legally enforceable and administratively implementable across all departments.
“The matter involves a diverse set of categories of workers whose engagements have taken place against different requirements of the departments. The Committee is examining the matter comprehensively,” the reply stated.
On the status of the committee and whether it had submitted its report, the government said consultations with concerned departments and examination of the issues from administrative, legal and financial perspectives were required before a final policy decision could be taken.
“The government will take a considered decision after completion of the examination of all relevant aspects and receipt of the requisite inputs from the concerned departments and authorities,” it said.
On payment of wages to temporary employees, including daily-rated workers, the Government said various departments had engaged daily-rated workers and other categories of workers based on their operational needs.
“The wages are being paid as per the guidelines and terms and conditions under which they are engaged. In case of DRWs/CSLWs etc, wages are being paid as per Minimum Wages notified by the Government,” the reply reads.On filling vacant posts, the government said it had taken a series of measures to ensure that vacancies were filled in a time-bound manner.
“These measures include timely identification and referral of vacancies to recruiting agencies, adherence to the prescribed statutory framework, advance planning of recruitment cycles and close monitoring of recruitment timelines at various stages,” the reply reads, adding that the government said efforts had also been made to streamline procedures, strengthen coordination with recruiting agencies and leverage technology to expedite the recruitment process while ensuring transparency, fairness and merit.
