Pins hopes on upcoming Budget session
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 20: The newly re-elected leadership of the Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) today said that nothing short of the regularisation of temporary employees in J&K would be acceptable.
Addressing a press conference, the leadership urged the Chief Minister to honour assurances made to employees during the forthcoming Budget session.
Highlighting the plight of daily wagers and other temporary workers, re-elected EJAC President Wajahat Hussain said the issue would be pursued with renewed urgency.
“Temporary employees across departments are facing severe hardships, and their concerns require immediate attention,” he said, adding that he had already raised the matter with the Chief Secretary.
Hussain alleged “step-motherly treatment” towards public sector employees, citing delayed salaries, denial of retirement benefits, and unresolved service-related issues.
“Drivers in the SRTC are yet to be regularised, while many retired employees are struggling without access to GPF funds and pensions,” he said.
Urging the Chief Minister to fulfil commitments made in the Assembly last year, Hussain said employees were hopeful of positive announcements in the upcoming Budget.
“The Chief Minister had assured that daily wagers would receive good news in the next Budget,” he said. Click here to watch video
He maintained that regularisation against vacant posts would not impose a major financial burden, noting that nearly 70 per cent of regular employees had already retired.
Speaking after the announcement of election results, the leadership thanked constituent unions and members for unanimously reposing faith in them.
Hussain said the unopposed election reflected employees’ confidence in democratic and accountable leadership.
Re-elected EJAC General Secretary Sajad Ahmad Parray said the regularisation of temporary employees remained the organisation’s foremost challenge.
He also demanded the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme and trade union rights, asserting that assurances given on the floor of the House must be honoured.
“Anything short of regularisation is unacceptable. If our demands are not met, we will continue our struggle in a democratic manner,” he stressed.
Notably, the elections to the posts of President and General Secretary became due after the completion of the prescribed term of the outgoing office-bearers.
An Election Commission was constituted, which issued the schedule and conducted the process in accordance with EJAC bylaws.
During the nomination process, one nomination was received for each post. Wajahat Hussain filed his nomination for President, while Sajad Ahmad Parray submitted his nomination for General Secretary.
“No other nominations were received within the stipulated time,” EJAC said.
After scrutiny, both nominations were found valid and, in the absence of any contest, the Election Commission declared them elected unopposed for a three-year term commencing January 20, 2026.
The results were formally announced by veteran trade union leader and former EJAC General Secretary Farooq Ahmad Trali.
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