Srinagar, Mar 28 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said there is no proposal under consideration to regularise or absorb Gram Rozgar Sahayaks (GRSs) engaged under MGNREGA on a permanent basis.
Replying to an unstarred question (A.Q No. 1524) tabled by MLA Javid Hassan Baig, the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that all supporting staff engaged under the centrally sponsored MGNREGA scheme are purely on a temporary and contractual basis.
"Their engagement is co-terminus with the project or scheme and is not against any clear vacancy," the government said, adding that as of now, no proposal exists for the regularisation of such staff.
On whether any committee was constituted in 2009 to address the issue of GRS regularisation, it replied in the negative.
Regarding honorarium, the government said that it has been periodically enhanced for MGNREGA supporting staff, including GRS. It said that the latest revision was carried out under Government Order No. 49-RD & PR of 2024 dated January 30, 2024.
As per the revised structure, the honorarium of GRS has been increased from Rs 6,806 to Rs 10,209. Similarly, Technical Assistants’ honorarium has been raised from Rs 11,000 to Rs 16,500, MISOs from Rs 11,000 to Rs 13,200, and Administrative/Accounts Assistants from Rs 6,806 to Rs 10,209.
The government further said that any future enhancement in honorarium will be considered when the State Employment Guarantee Council (SEGC) meets.
On job security or interim relief for long-serving GRS staff, the government reiterated that the position remains the same as stated above—(KNO)