Kmr highest with 57,390, Jammu has more than 43,000; R&B employees 68,000 alone
WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has registered over one lakh casual, daily-rated and other non-regular workers across various departments under its Aadhaar-based biometric identification and skill profiling initiative, with Srinagar, Jammu, and Anantnag districts emerging as the top contributors.
The data, presented in the Legislative Assembly, forms part of an ongoing review of the regularisation policy under the scrutiny of a high-level committee.
According to official figures, a total of 1,00,501 workers have been enrolled, comprising 69,966 casual labourers, 8,534 seasonal workers, 8,836 daily-rated or work-charged employees, 3,092 part-time workers, and 1,929 persons engaged under hospital or development funds, among others. The biometric profiling drive covers all government departments and districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Kashmir region accounts for the highest number with 57,390 registered workers, while the Jammu region follows with 43,111 workers.
In the Kashmir division, Srinagar district recorded the highest number with 11,825 registered workers, followed by Anantnag (8,823), Pulwama (8,210), and Baramulla (7,772). Other districts reported significant figures, including Kupwara (5,654), Kulgam (5,565), Budgam (4,870), Ganderbal (3,850), Shopian (3,529), and Bandipora (3,720).
In the Jammu division, Jammu district topped the list with 13,425 workers, followed by Udhampur (5,128), Rajouri (4,067), and Doda (3,815). Other districts such as Kathua (3,845), Kishtwar (2,699), Poonch (2,435), Reasi (2,159), Samba (1,561), and Ramban (1,419) also reported sizable numbers.
The data shows that the capital districts — Srinagar and Jammu — together account for over 25,000 workers, underscoring the heavy concentration of non-regular staff in administrative and service-oriented establishments.
Among the 27 departments covered in the report, the Public Works (R&B) Department employs the largest number of non-regular workers at 68,001, followed by the Public Health Engineering/Irrigation and Flood Control (PHE/I&FC) Department with 38,585 workers.
The Education Department accounts for 12,646 employees, while the Forest Department has 10,394. Other major employing sectors include Health and Medical Education (8,248), Agriculture (4,776), Animal and Sheep Husbandry (2,154), Industries and Commerce (1,707), Power Development (1,462), and Tourism (1,448).
Departments like Rural Development (566), Social Welfare (829), and Transport (1,046) also maintain a notable workforce under non-regular categories. Smaller departments such as Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, Revenue, and Finance together employ a few hundred workers.
In its written reply, the Government clarified that the regularisation policy is under review in accordance with the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in Secretary, State of Karnataka vs. Uma Devi (2006), which mandates adherence to constitutional and recruitment provisions.
A committee constituted by the General Administration Department (GAD) is examining legal, financial, and administrative aspects of regularisation, assessing fiscal liabilities, and comparing models adopted by other states. The panel is also tasked with verifying department-wise records to eliminate duplication and ensure that only genuine workers are considered for any future policy measures.
The reply further stated that the government is exploring ways to integrate social security and targeted welfare schemes, including potential skill development initiatives, to address humanitarian concerns without compromising fiscal prudence or legal compliance.
