Jammu: The Union Territory Government has initiated the process of creating a comprehensive database of casual and daily wage workers employed across various departments. This effort aims to determine their exact numbers, duration of service, and appointing authorities before considering measures for their potential regularization or other benefits.
The report qouting officials stated that the exercise will commence soon, with departments being asked to provide detailed information through structured questionnaires currently being finalized. The upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Budget 2025-26, to be presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Finance portfolio, may include references to the status of these workers.
The government intends to update previous estimates, which varied significantly. During the PDP-BJP coalition, the Finance Ministry initially estimated 65,000 daily wagers, but departmental data later suggested the number exceeded one lakh. A similar data collection was conducted earlier under the NC-Congress government led by Omar Abdullah.
Political parties have frequently promised the regularization of daily wage workers in their election campaigns, and ruling alliance representatives have also assured steps toward addressing their concerns. However, officials acknowledge that absorbing nearly one lakh workers into regular service at once would be a challenging financial burden. The government is expected to explore alternative solutions that balance fiscal responsibility with the needs of daily wagers.
A large portion of these workers is engaged in the Jal Shakti and Power Development Departments, though many are also employed in other government sectors. The final decision on their future will be taken by the Cabinet once the database is completed, a process that officials say may take some time.
