For over three decades, thousands of daily wagers in Jammu and Kashmir have been caught in a relentless cycle of neglect and exploitation. Despite dedicating more than 30 years of their lives in service in the different departments of Jammu and Kashmir government—many under extremely challenging and hazardous conditions—they continue to remain on the fringes of the system as “temporary” workers. Several have retired without any pensionary benefit, and hundreds have tragically died while performing official duties. Yet, the families of these unsung heroes have been left to fend for themselves, receiving no compensation or job benefits simply because their loved ones held no permanent status. This is not just administrative failure—it is a grave injustice.
In this backdrop, once again the daily wagers of the Power Development Department (PDD) have initiated protests in Jammu. These workers—responsible for ensuring uninterrupted electricity even during disasters—are paid a paltry Rs 9,000 a month. Many have completed over 25 years of continuous service, yet they are still waiting to be regularised. Their service has been met not with gratitude, but with repeated betrayals in the form of empty promises and yet another committee.
The National Conference-led government, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has unfortunately followed the same beaten track. In March 2025, while replying to the motion of thanks on the budget address in the Assembly, the Chief Minister announced the formation of a committee—yet again—headed by the Chief Secretary to address the issue of regularisation. He assured that a roadmap would be presented in the next budget session. But workers have every reason to be skeptical. Such committees have been formed by nearly every past government, and yet nothing concrete has ever materialised.
The very question—“What is the status of the committee? How many meetings have actually taken place?”—lays bare the deeper malaise: a systemic inertia disguised as administrative procedure. Time and again, such committees have served not as instruments of reform, but as bureaucratic graveyards where the aspirations of over 61,000 officially documented daily wagers—realistically, well over one lakh—are quietly laid to rest.
But people of J&K are no longer fooled by the committee culture. Every previous government—irrespective of party—has formed similar panels, which have only produced files gathering dust. The truth is clear: committee after committee has been used as a shield to delay decisions that require political will, not bureaucratic paper shuffling.
The time for deception is over. The government must act decisively and immediately—regularise the daily wagers, extend service benefits to retired and deceased workers’ families, and deliver justice that has been denied for over 30 years. The voices of these workers are no longer whispers—they are a collective roar. If this government wants to retain even a shred of credibility, it must stop hiding behind reports and start delivering results. Daily wagers are not asking for favours—they are demanding what is rightfully theirs. And it is high time the government listened.
