Srinagar, Sep 11: The Jammu and Kashmir Government is considering a phased approach to regularising daily wagers and workers engaged across various departments, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said on Friday.
Speaking on the sidelines of Kashmir Expo 2026, Choudhary said the demands of daily wagers were genuine and legitimate, but appealed to them to remain patient and ensure that the issue was not politicised.
He said regularisation of daily wagers was a commitment made by the National Conference in its election manifesto, while Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also assured the Legislative Assembly that the matter would be addressed.
"Daily wagers are engaged across departments. They have the right to be regularised and deserve equal rights," Choudhary said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said a committee headed by the Chief Secretary was examining the issue and that the Government was working towards a phased solution for regularisation.
He also appealed to the workers not to go on strike, describing them as an important part of the Government machinery and assuring them that their genuine demands would be addressed.
On Kashmir Expo 2026, Choudhary appreciated the efforts of artisans, officers and various departments in preserving Jammu and Kashmir's traditional heritage and promoting handmade products.
He urged people to purchase traditional products, particularly Kashmiri shawls, saying they were no less valuable than branded goods and that supporting local artisans would encourage them to preserve the region's rich heritage.
On Vande Mataram, Choudhary said the song had a historic association with India's freedom struggle and described it as the song of martyrs and freedom fighters.
He said people had the right to raise legitimate demands, referring to the ongoing demands in Ladakh, and reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir too was seeking restoration of statehood.
