CM Omar Says Daily-Wagers to be Regularised, 30,000 Vacancies to be Filled | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The government of Jammu and Kashmir will initiate the process of regularising daily-rated, ad hoc, and other temporary employees in a legally and financially sustainable manner in 2026, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

Replying to discussions on departmental grants and cut motions, Abdullah acknowledged that the issue of temporary workers has persisted for decades. “These employees have been struggling for 20, 30, and even 40 years. No government has been able to fully resolve the issue,” he said.

The Chief Minister added that a committee under the supervision of the Chief Secretary has been constituted to examine the matter to ensure any policy framed does not face legal or financial hurdles. “Once the committee submits its report and groundwork is completed transparently, we will present the plan to the people,” he said.

Abdullah rejected any notion of a rushed decision, emphasising that regularisation cannot happen overnight. “I am not willing to mislead these employees by merely signing a paper without proper preparation,” he said, noting that the exact number of workers—whether 70,000, 80,000, or one lakh—will be determined through a structured timetable.

The Chief Minister informed the Assembly that over one lakh daily wagers and casual labourers are currently engaged across government departments, including 69,696 casual labourers, 8,836 daily-rated workers, 8,534 seasonal labourers, 5,757 food and civil supplies helpers, 2,153 part-time sweepers, and 1,929 staff employed through the Hospital Development Fund.

On employment generation, Abdullah clarified that while the government has created posts, only around 6,000–6,500 have been filled so far. He assured the House that nearly 30,000 vacant posts will be filled this year through a transparent and time-bound process coordinated with the Selection Board and Public Service Commission, avoiding legal challenges that had delayed recruitment in the past.