Srinagar, Oct 31 (KNO): More than 97,000 casual and other workers across Jammu and Kashmir are awaiting regularization as the government has constituted a committee to examine all related aspects before finalizing a policy decision.
The committee set up in March, 2025, has been tasked with reviewing humanitarian, legal and financial implications involved in the regularization process and suggesting a comprehensive framework for absorption of these workers into government service.
In response to a query by MLA Rajiv Jasrotia in the Legislative Assembly, the government, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the panel is undertaking an in-depth assessment covering constitutional, administrative and financial considerations.
The findings will form the basis of a uniform policy for all categories of temporary workers across the Union Territory.
According to official data, a total of 97,467 workers have been registered through Aadhar-based biometric identification and skill profiling in Jammu and Kashmir. The figure includes casual labourers, seasonal workers, daily rated and part-time employees, as well as those engaged under various departmental and centrally sponsored schemes.
Division-wise distribution states, Kashmir leads with 57,390 registered workers, while Jammu Division follows with 40,077.
In Kashmir, Srinagar has the highest number of temporary workers at 11,825, followed by Anantnag with 8,823 and Baramulla with 7,724. Budgam has 5,772 workers, Pulwama 5,565, and Kupwara 5,547. Ganderbal accounts for 4,056, Kulgam 3,271, Bandipora 2,771, and Shopian 1,900.
Similarly, in the Jammu division, the district of Jammu leads with 13,425 workers, followed by Rajouri with 5,191 and Doda with 3,856. Kathua has 3,451, Reasi 3,210, Udhampur 2,722, Kishtwar 2,754, Poonch 2,455, Samba 2,518, and Ramban 1,495.
Category-wise Breakup
Across both divisions, the registered workforce includes 67,354 casual labourers, 8,499 seasonal workers and 8,708 daily rated or work-charged employees.
Other categories include 2,891 part-time workers, 140 CIC operators, 5,541 drivers and Hamals under the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, 1,929 employees under Hospital Development Fund, 2,057 part-time sweepers and 348 prism-men or settlement assistants under the Revenue Department.
The government said the committee is still reviewing data and inputs from departments before making recommendations. Officials indicated that any final decision will depend on the panel’s findings on the financial viability and legal standing of regularizing such a large workforce—(KNO)