Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Dec 2: The Jal Shakti PHE Employees and Workers Association today accused the UT Government and the LG administration of misleading daily wagers and ignoring their long-pending demands.
Addressing a press conference at the PHE Complex Udhampur, Association’s District President and senior trade leader Som Nath criticised the “delaying tactics” of the administration on issues like regularization, implementation of the Minimum Wages Act, and release of pending wages.
He said daily wagers have been waiting for years, yet the Government has failed to resolve even basic matters.
He pointed out that a five-member committee headed by the Chief Secretary was formed to examine the issues within six months, but the report has still not been submitted.
He questioned why the Government has not sought accountability from the committee.
“The Government increased the salaries of MLAs and purchased new vehicles, but daily wagers are still waiting for justice,” he said.
The Association highlighted several major demands, including immediate regularization of CP, ITI, and land-donor workers who have completed seven years of service under SRO-64.
Som Nath also demanded the release of pending wages for the period between 2014 and 2020, saying that some workers have been waiting for 65 to 70 months.
He demanded that these dues be cleared with interest, including the pending amounts of retired workers.
He further said that the Minimum Wages Act must be implemented properly and the wages of daily wagers should match those approved for Delhi UT.
He expressed concern that daily wagers in Jammu are paid only Rs 311 per day, the lowest in the country.
The Association also flagged an acute shortage of staff across divisions, saying that several water supply schemes are becoming non-functional.
Som Nath appealed to daily wagers in PDD, PHE, Forest, Safai Karamchari and other departments to unite for their rights.
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