Surinder Choudhary calls demand genuine, appeals to workers not to let politics hijack the issue; cites NC manifesto commitment and Chief Secretary-led panel; praises Kashmir Expo artisans and GI-tagged crafts
Srinagar, Sep 11 (BuzzBytes): 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 urged them to remain patient and not allow the issue to be politicised. “Some people are doing politics in that. I will appeal to those daily wagers that some of your people and some of the people outside are doing politics with them. You don’t get involved in politics,” he said.
He said regularisation of daily wagers is a commitment made by the National Conference in its 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, adding that the issue should not be confined to PHE daily wagers alone but should cover workers across departments.
The Deputy Chief Minister said a committee headed by the Chief Secretary was examining the matter and that the government was working towards a phased solution. “The demand is genuine. But the government should also have a little patience from its side,” he said, adding, “The government is thinking about this. You will get the result very soon.”
He also appealed to the workers not to go on strike, saying they were an important part of the government machinery and assuring them 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.
Referring to the demands being raised in Ladakh, Choudhary said people had the right to raise legitimate demands and reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir too was seeking restoration of statehood—(BuzzBytes)
