The Chairman of the Jammu & Kashmir Employees Joint Consultative Committee (JKEJCC), Ijaz Ahmad Khan, has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take immediate and concrete steps to address the long-pending issues of temporary, serving, and retired government employees in the Union Territory.
In a detailed representation addressed to the Chief Minister, Khan welcomed the recent announcement regarding the regularisation of nearly 30,000 ad hoc and other temporary employees after the completion of legal and financial formalities. He described the assurance as a source of hope and encouragement for thousands of daily wagers, casual labourers, and Fair Price Shop dealers who have been serving in various government departments for decades on meagre wages.
While acknowledging the legal and financial complexities involved in regularising a large number of employees, Khan emphasised that the government must adopt a comprehensive and time-bound policy to safeguard the rights of temporary workers. He pointed out that a significant number of these employees were appointed during the tenures of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference governments between 1996–2002 and 2009–2014, and said it was a moral responsibility to ensure justice for them.
The JKEJCC chairman also highlighted the unresolved issue of hundreds of Fair Price Shop dealers in the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs. He recalled that a decision to grant them permanent status was taken in the last Cabinet meeting chaired by Omar Abdullah before the 2014 Assembly elections, and that a government order had been issued. However, the matter has allegedly remained pending for over a decade.
Khan further stated that temporary employees and their families form a significant section of the electorate and had supported the present leadership with the expectation that their grievances would be addressed. Referring to the legacy of Sheikh Abdullah, he said the principle that “leadership belongs to the people” should guide the present government’s approach toward employees’ issues.
In addition to temporary staff, the JKEJCC chairman raised concerns about the problems faced by nearly five lakh serving and retired employees across various departments. He cited disparities in pay scales, fewer benefits compared to central government employees, delays in the release of General Provident Fund (GPF) payments, and prolonged wait times for retirees to receive their dues.
Khan termed delays in the disbursement of GPF and retirement benefits as unjust, noting that these funds represent employees’ own hard-earned money. He said prolonged delays amount to a breach of trust and have become a recurring issue over the years.
Emphasising that peaceful protest is a democratic right, Khan said employees raising their voices over legitimate demands should not be viewed negatively. He called upon the Chief Minister to engage with employee representatives and implement practical measures to resolve long-standing grievances.
The JKEJCC has expressed hope that the government will prioritise these matters and take tangible steps to ensure justice for temporary, serving, and retired employees across Jammu and Kashmir.
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