Aaqib Khan
Srinagar, Mar 30 : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and MLA Pulwama, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, on Monday described the regularisation of daily wagers as a “humanitarian issue” and urged the government to take immediate steps to address their long-pending demands.
Speaking to reporters outside the assembly, MLA Para as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) said nearly one lakh people were working in essential services, including hospitals, ambulances, the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department, and irrigation, stressing that their services were critical for round-the-clock functioning.
“This is not merely an issue of employment or regularisation, it is a humanitarian concern. These workers have been serving for decades, yet many of them are denied recognition and security,” the PDP legislator said.
He advocated for the revival of past initiatives, including biometric identification and SRO provisions, to facilitate the regularisation process. MLA Para called on all political parties to rise above differences and initiate a phased process for the same.
“After serving 20-30 years, telling them they are not employees is a betrayal. The government must act with compassion and ensure justice to daily wagers,” he added.
The MLA also stressed the need for broader administrative reforms, including the creation of new districts and divisions to improve governance and accessibility in remote areas. He further called for discussions on issues like alcohol regulation in line with public sentiment. (KNS)
