Phase-wise regularisation of daily wagers to begin from this year: CM

Jammu, Feb 19: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday reiterated that the process of phase-wise regularisation of all daily wagers would begin in a legal, financially viable manner in 2026.

“Had my intention was to commit fraud or exploit their (daily wagers’) emotions, I would have kept mum for three or three-and-a-half years and during the last year (of term) I would have brought this issue. Finally, before the election, I would have raked up the code of conduct excuse to dodge it (regularisation). This has happened to them earlier also,” he said, while retorting to the charges levelled against him by the opposition leaders.

CM Omar was replying to the debate on demands for grants of departments under his charge in the Legislative Assembly.

Responding to the opposition’s another charge about vacancies in government departments, he said that all vacancies would be filled in a transparent and time-bound manner.

The CM said that there was a distinction between creation of posts and appointments.

“We have filled around 6,000-6,500 posts,” he said, reiterating, “The government will work to fill around 30,000 vacant posts this year through transparent and time-bound recruitment processes in coordination with the Service Selection Board and Public Service Commission.”

CM Omar also referred to outsourcing engagements, describing them as additional opportunities, though not counted as formal jobs.

“At least they are earning a living,” he said.

With regard to delay in disbursement of GPF and other retirement benefits, the CM acknowledged the problem yet asserted the government significantly increased disbursements.

“In 2026, we released Rs 3,173.39 crore in GPF, Rs 1,170.21 crore in gratuity, Rs 838.28 crore in commutation, and Rs 425 crore in leave salary,” he informed the House and assured continued efforts to reduce hardships for employees.

On the question of leases and Gair Mumkin Khads, CM Omar said, “Both the issues will be resolved during this financial year.”

About the daily wagers’ regularisation issue, he said, “Almost every MLA had raised concerns regarding daily rated workers, temporary workers, seasonal, ad hoc and other categories who have been working for decades. These workers have been there continuously for the last 20-30-40 years. But the reality is that no government could solve their problems.”

Taking a dig at the opposition, the CM said that during his earlier tenure, he had brought the (regularisation) issue to a point (nearing resolution).

“We lost the government. Almost everything was ready. It was entrusted to the PDP-BJP government. But what they did and what they did not – they themselves knew it. Today they are showing sympathy with the same lot of employees. But they don’t tell – what they (PDP-BJP) did for them (daily wagers),” he said.

CM Omar said that his government would not make hollow promises or announce policies that could later get stuck in courts or financial hurdles.

He informed the House that a committee under the supervision of the Chief Secretary had been constituted to work out a legally and financially viable framework for regularisation.

While the committee could not complete its work within the initial six months and sought more time, the CM reiterated the government’s commitment.

“God willing, we will start the regularisation process in a legal, financially viable phased manner from this financial year,” he said. “Whatever be their number, 60,000 to 1 lakh, we will work it out under a time-table and the process (regularisation) will be initiated in a transparent manner, once the report is submitted.”

Highlighting Jammu and Kashmir’s financial constraints, CM Omar said that tax and non-tax revenue covered only about 25 percent of expenditure, while 75 percent would come through central share and assistance.

“This is not a situation created today, it has been inherited,” he said, adding that efforts were underway to improve financial self-reliance.

The CM explained the new system of centrally sponsored schemes, where each scheme now operates through a separate RBI account, requiring the UT’s matching share before funds can be utilised.

“This has reduced financial flexibility, and many states and UTs have faced similar consequences,” he said, expressing confidence that implementation would improve next year. In this context, he also explained the concept of “mother sanction.”

The CM also underlined the importance of SASCI, calling it one of the best schemes for J&K, especially due to the provision of 50-year interest-free loans.

“If we take a loan of Rs 3000 crore today, after 50 years it will be equivalent to about Rs 97 crore,” he said, urging maximum utilisation of such funding for development.

CM Omar said that the government had ended off-budget borrowing practices.

“Today, in J&K, not a single penny is off-budget borrowing. Whatever debt we take is fully recorded. There is no Hundi system,” he said.

“They (opposition) have asked about our vision. No debt burden on the people of Jammu and Kashmir reflects the vision of the government,” the CM said.

He said that climate response was in the present milieu a compulsion for J&K, especially after the impacts of drought and heavy rains last year.

CM Omar said that a fund for climate change mitigation was prepared and stressed the need to assign departmental responsibility for studying and addressing climate change impacts before undertaking further budgetary measures.

He said ongoing incomplete mini-secretariats, including Tangmarg, Srinagar, Poonch and other places, would be completed immediately.

On issues raised regarding CDF and related matters, the CM assured MLAs that savings under the scheme belonged entirely to them.

“This money is yours. These savings will not go back to the Treasury,” he said, adding that a special order would be issued for clarity.

At the outset of his address, CM Omar also appreciated the efforts of the administrative machinery, including secretaries, heads of departments, officers and staff, particularly in view of the record number of cut motions.

“There were more than 500 cut motions. Each and every query was answered. The pile of papers on my table is the result of their hard work,” he said.

Later, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly passed grants amounting to Rs 615.76 crore for the General Administration Department (GAD), Rs 476.48 crore for Planning, Rs 124.08 crore for Information, Rs 12543.84crore for the Power Development Department (PDD), Rs 52379.56 crore for Finance, Rs 77.43 crore for Parliamentary Affairs, Rs 750.29 crore for the Law Department (excluding the Election Department), Rs 784.61 crore for Revenue, Rs 4227.84 crore for Housing and Urban Development (H&UDD), Rs 666.23 crore for Tourism, Rs 407.50 crore for Hospitality, Protocol and Estates, Rs 176.22 crore for Culture, and Rs 1460.98 crore for Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR), after the MLAs withdrew their cut motions following the CM’s assurance to address all issues raised by them.

The Assembly also passed 19 supplementary grants amounting to Rs 3523.41 crore.