Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary Promises Quick Regularisation for J&K Daily Wage Workers

In a candid conversation with ANI on Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir’s Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said the government is moving fast to regularise every daily‑wage employee across the Union Territory. He stressed that a special committee has already been set up to sort out the legal and financial framework, and that the promise will be kept for the full five‑year term of the current administration, not just a fleeting two‑year gimmick.

“The committee is in place, and our promise stretches over five years,” Choudhary told reporters. “The National Health Mission is a centrally sponsored scheme, so any drama won’t help. We will regularise all daily wagers very soon.”

The remarks came on the heels of a fresh 72‑hour pen‑down strike launched by National Health Mission (NHM) staff on September 12, following an earlier strike that ended just a day before. The protesting workers are pressing for three core demands: equal pay for equal work, a transparent transfer policy, and permanent employment status. Some have even hinted they might consider a hunger strike if their grievances remain ignored.

One NHM employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, described how the staff routinely work through harsh winters and emergency situations, “We are on call round the clock, regardless of the weather. All we ask is fairness – either make us permanent or at least raise our salaries.” She added, “When it’s just about a salary hike, what’s the problem?”

Healthcare experts worry that prolonged agitation could dent essential services. Patients waiting for treatment have already voiced concerns, urging the administration to settle the matter quickly so that medical care remains uninterrupted.

Choudhary, while acknowledging the seriousness of the protests, urged the NHM employees to refrain from further agitation until the committee’s recommendations are finalized. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering a clear employment framework before the end of its current five‑year tenure.