Srinagar, Feb 9: Asif Rashid
The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday made it clear in the Assembly that there is no proposal under consideration to regularise nearly 3,800 support staff working under the MGNREGA scheme, triggering political attention over the future of thousands of contractual workers in the Union Territory.
In a written reply to a question raised by MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz, the Minister in charge of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department stated that all MGNREGA support staff are engaged purely on a temporary and contractual basis, with no sanctioned posts against which regularisation could be considered.
The government informed the House that around 3,800 personnel are currently working at different administrative levels including Panchayat, Block, District, Divisional and UT levels, playing a crucial role in the implementation of the rural employment guarantee scheme at the grassroots.
However, the reply categorically ruled out any move towards job security, stating that their engagement remains valid only for the contract period or till the continuation of the scheme, whichever ends earlier.
“As on date, there is no proposal regarding regularisation of services of staff engaged under MGNREGA,” the government said in its reply.
While rejecting regularisation, the government highlighted that the honorarium of MGNREGA staff has been revised periodically. The latest enhancement was approved under Government Order No. 49-RD&PR of 2024, issued on January 30, 2024.
• Gram Rozgar Sevak (GRS): Rs 6,806 → Rs 10,209
• Technical Assistant: Rs 11,000 → Rs 16,500
• MIS Operator: Rs 11,000 → Rs 13,200
• Admin/Accounts Assistant: Rs 6,806 → Rs 10,209
The government further stated that any future increase in honorarium would be examined by the State Employment Guarantee Council (SEGC) in its upcoming meetings.
The response has renewed political debate around contractual employment policies in Jammu and Kashmir, especially for long-serving scheme workers who continue to demand stability and social security.
