Amid growing calls for job security, Jammu and Kashmir government drew a firm line in the assembly on Monday, rejecting regularization of its 3,800 MGNREGA auxiliary employees. The disclosure, in a written reply by the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister to MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz, spotlights the temporary nature of these critical roles.
MGNREGA’s support ecosystem spans every tier: panchayat workers coordinating local jobs, block-level overseers, district monitors, divisional coordinators, and UT-wide admins. Their tireless efforts translate national guarantees into village-level action, yet their contracts remain tied to program timelines.
Since inception, honorariums have received multiple boosts, culminating in the January 30, 2024 order. Gram Rozgar Sevaks and Administrative Assistants now pocket Rs 10,209 (from Rs 6,806); Technical Assistants Rs 16,500 (up from Rs 11,000); MIS Operators Rs 13,200 (also from Rs 11,000). These hikes reflect appreciation, but fall short of permanence demands.
‘Currently, no proposal for regularizing MGNREGA appointees is in place,’ the response affirmed. Future revisions await SEGC review. This policy stance, rooted in the Centre’s scheme guidelines, prioritizes adaptability but raises questions on sustainability. With rural economies leaning heavily on such programs, the contract model’s long-term viability—and its human cost—demands scrutiny from policymakers and stakeholders alike.