SRINAGAR: Senior Jammu and Kashmir Congress leaders Tariq Hameed Karra and G A Mir expressed satisfaction over Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s announcement on the constitution of a high-level committee to work out a roadmap for addressing issues related to daily wagers.
CM Abdullah, made these remarks during the budget discussion in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in Jammu on Tuesday. JKPCC Chief Tariq Hameed Karra said that Congress had raised the concerns of daily wagers in the Assembly. “We made it clear that these small employees—daily wagers and temporary workers—deserve proper accommodation in government policies,” Karra said.
He acknowledged that the Chief Minister addressed the issue during his reply, explaining the background of why these workers were not included in past budgets. “The CM questioned the BJP on why they didn’t address this issue during their tenure. I think it was a satisfactory response,” Karra added. He said the government has constituted a high-powered committee with a six-month deadline to formulate a comprehensive package to address the concerns of these workers.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and legislator G A Mir also expressed his views, stating that the Chief Minister provided a reasonable explanation. “In 2014, our coalition had prepared for regularisation, but after we were out of power, successive governments failed to move forward,” Mir said. He welcomed the formation of a high-level committee to assess figures, financial requirements, and legal protection for daily wagers, calling it a significant assurance for need-based, casual, and daily wagers. He said the government has laid a foundation to address various concerns in the coming years.
While appreciating the budget discussion, Mir noted that some issues, such as those concerning Kashmiri Pandits, were not extensively covered. However, he added that such matters could be raised during the upcoming grant discussions. (KNO)
