Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government is considering a phased approach to regularising daily wagers and workers engaged across various departments, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said on Friday, while also launching a sharp attack on the BJP over its criticism of the elected government’s performance.
Speaking on the sidelines of Kashmir Expo 2026, Choudhary said the demands of daily wagers were genuine and legitimate and that a committee headed by the Chief Secretary was examining the matter.
“Daily wagers are engaged across departments. They have the right to be regularised and deserve equal rights,” he said, adding that the government was working towards a phased solution.
Choudhary said regularisation of daily wagers was a commitment made by the National Conference in its manifesto and that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also assured the Legislative Assembly that the matter would be addressed.
He urged the workers to remain patient and not allow the issue to be politicised. He also appealed to them not to go on strike, saying they were an important part of the government machinery and assuring them that their genuine demands would be addressed.
On the BJP’s criticism of development in Jammu and Kashmir, Choudhary called the BJP India’s “biggest liar party” and accused it of damaging the country’s reputation through what he described as falsehoods.
“What does BJP stand for? ‘Bharat Ki Sabse Badi Jhoothi Party’ (India’s biggest liar party). They continuously tarnish India’s name through their lies, so there is no point in responding to their claims,” he told reporters.
Choudhary, who joined the National Conference in 2023 after leaving the BJP, asked the media to question BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma about the number of IAS and IPS officers from Jammu and Kashmir who had been posted outside the region.
“Do we not have local IPS officers from Kashmir or Jammu capable of serving as Director General? They have been sent outside. Why does Sunil Sharma remain silent on this?” he asked.
He also questioned the transfer of IAS officers from the region and asked why local officers could not be appointed to senior positions in Jammu and Kashmir.
“These individuals are sons of the soil; can they not be appointed right here in Jammu and Kashmir?” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister also raised the issue of local representation in universities, referring to Jammu University and recalling that Amitabh Mattoo, a Kashmiri Pandit, had served as its vice-chancellor.
Choudhary said the university’s ranking had now fallen below private universities, while making it clear that he was not questioning the capability of the present vice-chancellor.
“But don’t our local professors aspire to become vice-chancellors? In many universities, local academics could serve as VCs, yet they haven’t been appointed. Sunil Sharma won’t discuss this,” he said.
He further questioned why senior officers from Jammu and Kashmir at DG and IPS rank were not being posted in the region.
On development, Choudhary said the public was aware of the progress made and offered to debate the issue directly with Sharma.
“Their strategy is merely hit and run. The BJP in Jammu and Kashmir is a complete failure, a flop show, just like Jaspal Bhatti’s ‘Flop Show’; they are all talk and no action,” he said.
He urged people to compare the road connectivity achieved under the present administration with that of the previous government, particularly under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
“Our government was formed in 2024; file an RTI and check how many PMGSY roads were constructed under us compared to what they accomplished in 12 years. Compare the NABARD roads we sanctioned against theirs, and I am currently only discussing the PWD sector,” Choudhary said.
On Congress’ criticism of the National Conference over the performance of the full national song at the inauguration of the International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir, Choudhary said an unnecessary controversy had been provoked.
On Kashmir Expo 2026, he appreciated the efforts of artisans, officers and various departments in preserving Jammu and Kashmir’s traditional heritage and promoting handmade products. He urged people to purchase traditional products, particularly Kashmiri shawls, saying support for local artisans would encourage preservation of the region’s rich heritage.
Referring to the demands being raised in Ladakh, Choudhary said people had the right to raise legitimate demands and reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir was also seeking restoration of statehood.
