JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has announced that the Jammu and Kashmir government will introduce a monthly pension scheme for workers above the age of 60 in the next financial year as part of its commitment to social security and financial stability for the labour force. Speaking in the assembly on March 15 while winding up the debate on grants for his ministries, he said that the Labour and Employment Department is actively working to enhance employment opportunities, skill development and social security measures in both the public and private sectors.
Highlighting the scale of ongoing welfare efforts, Choudhary said that 44,988 workers have been registered in the current financial year, with 4,236 new registrations in February 2025 alone. Under various welfare schemes, Rs 5,903.25 lakh has been disbursed to 70,323 beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to ensure transparency and efficiency.
The government is also making major investments in infrastructure for the Labour and Employment Department. The construction of a Labour Sarai in Rajouri is nearing completion, with Rs 52.53 lakh already spent out of the total Rs 91.27 lakh. The Employment Complex at Bemina, Srinagar, being built at Rs 1,030.30 lakh, is expected to be completed by the end of this financial year, while the District Employment and Counselling Centre in Anantnag, being constructed at Rs 491.24 lakh, is set for completion by March 2026. Night Shelters (Labour Sarais) are also being developed in Budgam, Anantnag and Pulwama, with land already identified for construction.
In a move to provide better grievance redressal for workers, the government is setting up a 24×7 helpline called “Shram Mitra” in Jammu and Srinagar. Additionally, smart cards will be introduced for construction workers, storing all relevant details about them and their families.
The government is expanding skill development initiatives to address the evolving employment landscape. Recognising the impact of digital transformation on traditional job sectors, the Labour and Employment Department is upgrading training programmes to match industry demands. At present, 20 batches of skill-oriented training, including office automation and financial accounting using Tally, are running across Jammu and Kashmir. In the next financial year, 1,080 candidates will receive training under these programmes. The government is also conducting job fairs, with 56 held so far in the current financial year, resulting in 1,230 direct placements and 5,014 youth shortlisted for training.
A key initiative in employment generation is Mission YUVA (Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan), aimed at fostering entrepreneurship. Under this programme, the government plans to create 1.37 lakh new enterprises and generate 4.5 lakh jobs over five years. In the upcoming financial year alone, 27,400 new enterprises are expected to be created, leading to the generation of 85,000 jobs. A detailed survey covering 23.64 lakh households and 1.1 crore individuals has been conducted to identify potential entrepreneurs, assess skill gaps and design targeted training programmes.
The Labour and Employment Department is also focusing on strengthening social security schemes for workers. The Jammu and Kashmir Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board runs several welfare programmes, offering financial support for accidents, chronic diseases, disabilities, education, marriage and maternity benefits. The financial assistance includes Rs 15 lakh for accidental death, Rs 2 lakh for natural death, Rs 4.5 lakh for permanent disability, Rs 1.5 lakh for chronic diseases and up to Rs 48,000 for educational support. Additionally, Rs 50,000 is provided for marriage assistance and Rs 5,000 for maternity support.
The department is also amending outdated labour laws to align with the Ease of Doing Business guidelines, simplifying regulations and improving efficiency. To further transparency, an online cess collection portal is being developed to monitor funds collected from employers.
Choudhary acknowledged challenges in the employment sector, including the limited presence of large industries in Jammu and Kashmir and the voluntary nature of youth registration, which affects accurate unemployment data. He said efforts are underway to make registration mandatory to get a clearer picture of unemployment trends.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Choudhary said that the Labour and Employment Department is playing a crucial role in improving working conditions, promoting entrepreneurship and ensuring financial security for workers. “We are committed to creating more jobs, providing social security to workers and improving workplace conditions. Our focus is on ensuring that economic progress and social justice go hand in hand, benefiting both job seekers and the labour force in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
