JAMMU: Former Minister and senior BJP leader Sham Lal Sharma criticized the previous governments, particularly the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), for their alleged neglect of daily wage employees in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters, Sham Lal Sharma recalled his long-standing efforts to secure regularization for daily wage workers, highlighting that the previous governments ignored the concerns of thousands of workers, especially in the Jammu region.
“I raised this issue in 2014 as a committee member, urging the regularization of these employees. However, the NC-led government refused, claiming there were already 11,000 workers regularized in Kashmir while Jammu’s demands were overlooked,” Sharma said.
He further alleged that disparity in employment decisions favored Kashmir over Jammu, emphasizing that the BJP has consistently advocated for justice for daily wagers. “I have fought for these workers since 2005, and I will continue to fight for their rights till my last breath,” he declared.
Sharma also criticized the current administration for failing to fulfill its promise of regularizing these employees in their first cabinet meeting. He reminded the house of the government’s earlier commitment to frame a policy within 180 days to address the issue.
“These are emergency service workers — people who ensure water supply and essential services. They deserve to be regularized, and this is their right,” Sharma asserted.
