On September 25 the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly will take up the topic of Private Members’ Resolutions. Of the seven resolutions selected through balloting, one stands out for its potential to have a big impact on the society that seeking to regularise daily wage workers.
The resolution moves for a uniform policy for regularisation of Daily Rated, Casual, NYC, Mid-Day Meal and similar workers in various departments and agencies with a specified timeframe for notification.
For many families the resolution is more than just a matter of livelihood. It is about dignity and security and the security of decades of service to the state.
Daily-wage employees are at the backbone of the administrative system in Jammu & Kashmir. They are working in power development, flood control, public health engineering, social welfare and scores of other departments. Many have served in these capacities for decades – and without any benefits.
Their demand is justified. After all, it is about ensuring that there is no permanent lower tier of society who serve at the pleasure of the system and cannot expect any permanent benefits for their services.
Fortunately, the government has already announced its intention to embark on a phased regularisation of such workers during the current fiscal year. The Chief Secretary has been directed to constitute a committee to look into the details of the implementation.
The resolution moved by the member is hence a reminder of what the government has said it will do. It is important that the government does not allow the matter to rest there, it must get on with the job of announcing a policy that will bring lasting relief to many.
The fact that MLAs across the aisle are discussing matters of similar import brought up by legislators of the opposite party is an indicator of the resolution’s potential to help build consensus on a matter of national importance.
The government needs to back up its assurances with action. It needs to embark on a transparent and legally sound regularisation process.
The resolution provides an opportunity for the assembly to stand up and be heard on a matter that has long been a concern of many. That will be a resolution worth celebrating.
