Committee examining regularisation of casual, seasonal workers: Govt

Srinagar, Sep 24: The Jammu and Kashmir government has said that a committee constituted to examine the regularisation of casual, seasonal, temporary, contractual and need-based workers is currently examining the matter, but no rigid timeframe can be indicated at this stage for submission of its report or finalisation of the policy.
The government stated this in a written reply by CPI(M) MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami during the ongoing sixth session of the J&K Legislative Assembly, regarding the status of the report/recommendations of the committee constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, J&K, on regularisation of casual, seasonal and other temporary/contractual/need-based workers in the Union Territory.
The government, said the committee was constituted vide Order No. 384-JK(GAD) of 2025 dated March 19, 2025, and has been examining matters relating to casual, seasonal and other temporary, contractual and need-based workers engaged in different departments across Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the reply, the committee has been tasked with examining various issues, including humanitarian, legal and financial aspects related to regularisation of such workers.
“The matter concerns a diverse set of workers engaged at different points in time under varying terms and conditions of engagement,” the government said, adding that the proposed policy would have to conform to applicable statutory provisions, the prevailing legal position and the prescribed recruitment framework, while duly accounting for the consequential financial implications.
The government further said the committee is undertaking a comprehensive examination for formulation of a uniform framework that is legally enforceable and administratively implementable across all departments.
On the present status of the committee’s report/recommendations, the government said the matter involves a diverse set of workers whose engagements have taken place against different requirements of different departments and that the committee is examining the matter comprehensively.
It said consultations with the concerned departments and examination of the issues from administrative, legal and financial perspectives are required before a final policy decision is taken.
“The time taken in the process is attributable to the need for comprehensive examination and reconciliation with legal and financial aspects and requirements of the established framework governing employment,” the government said.
On the proposed timeframe for submission of the committee’s report and final policy decision to ensure a fair, transparent and time-bound resolution of the long-pending regularisation issue, the government said it is conscious of the need for a structured and sustainable resolution.
“The issue is under active consideration, and efforts are being made to complete the requisite examination and consultations at the earliest,” the reply stated.
However, the government said that in view of the multiplicity of categories involved and the legal, administrative and financial implications of any decision, “it would not be appropriate to indicate a rigid timeframe at this stage.”
It added that the government would take a considered decision after completion of examination of all relevant aspects and receipt of the requisite inputs from the concerned departments and authorities.
Tarigami had also sought details regarding the contours of a policy for compassionate engagement of an eligible family member of such workers who had died in harness while awaiting regularisation.
On this point, the government said the issue is not part of the Terms of Reference of the Committee.
The committee was constituted by the General Administration Department on March 19, 2025, to examine issues related to regularisation of casual, seasonal labourers and other workers in J&K and suggest a comprehensive way forward. The government order had provided for the committee to submit its report within six months. (KNO)