Srinagar, Sept 24: The government on Thursday said it cannot set a “rigid timeframe” for finalising a policy on the regularisation of casual, seasonal, temporary, contractual and need-based workers, citing legal, administrative and financial implications.

In a written reply to a question by Kulgam MLA M.Y. Tarigami, the government said a committee constituted in March last year under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary has been examining issues concerning such workers engaged in different departments.
The committee has been tasked with examining humanitarian, legal and financial aspects related to the regularisation of these workers.
The government said the workers belong to diverse categories and were engaged at different points in time under varying terms and conditions. Therefore, the proposed policy needs to conform to applicable statutory provisions, the prevailing legal position and the prescribed recruitment framework, while accounting for the financial implications.
“The committee is accordingly undertaking a comprehensive examination for the formulation of a uniform framework that is legally enforceable and administratively implementable across all departments,” the Government said.
The Government further stated that consultations with concerned departments and examination of the matter from administrative, legal and financial perspectives are required before a final policy decision is taken.
It said the time taken in the process is attributable to the need for comprehensive examination and reconciliation with legal and financial requirements governing employment.
At the same time, the Government said it was conscious of the need for a structured and sustainable resolution of the issue.
“The issue is under active consideration, and efforts are being made to complete the requisite examination and consultations at the earliest,” the government said.
On the proposed timeframe for submission of the committee’s report and final policy decision, the Government said setting a rigid timeframe at this stage would not be appropriate.
“However, in view of the multiplicity of categories involved and the legal, administrative and financial implications of any decision, it would not be appropriate to indicate a rigid timeframe at this stage,” it said.
The Government said a considered decision would be taken after completion of the examination of all relevant aspects and receipt of requisite inputs from concerned departments and authorities.
There are over 60,000 casual and daily-rated workers in Jammu and Kashmir who have been awaiting regularisation for years.