J&K Govt says no proposal to regularise Gram Rozgar Sahayaks engaged under MGNREGA

‘Honorarium recently increased, no plan for permanent absorption’

Srinagar, Mar 28: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said there is no proposal under consideration to regularise or absorb Gram Rozgar Sahayaks (GRSs) engaged under MGNREGA on a permanent basis.

Replying to an unstarred question (A.Q No. 1524) tabled by MLA Javid Hassan Baig, the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that all supporting staff engaged under the centrally sponsored MGNREGA scheme are purely on a temporary and contractual basis.

“Their engagement is co-terminus with the project or scheme and is not against any clear vacancy,” the government said, adding that as of now, no proposal exists for the regularisation of such staff.

On whether any committee was constituted in 2009 to address the issue of GRS regularisation, it replied in the negative.

Regarding honorarium, the government said that it has been periodically enhanced for MGNREGA supporting staff, including GRS. It said that the latest revision was carried out under Government Order No. 49-RD & PR of 2024 dated January 30, 2024.

As per the revised structure, the honorarium of GRS has been increased from Rs 6,806 to Rs 10,209. Similarly, Technical Assistants’ honorarium has been raised from Rs 11,000 to Rs 16,500, MISOs from Rs 11,000 to Rs 13,200, and Administrative/Accounts Assistants from Rs 6,806 to Rs 10,209.

The government further said that any future enhancement in honorarium will be considered when the State Employment Guarantee Council (SEGC) meets.

On job security or interim relief for long-serving GRS staff, the government reiterated that the position remains the same as stated above—(KNO)

J&K Govt rules out proposal for 50% fare concession in Smart Bus services

Says existing student concessions remain in effect

Srinagar, Mar 28: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday ruled out any proposal under consideration to grant a 50 per cent fare concession specifically in Smart Bus services, saying the existing concessions for students are already in place under notified rules.

Replying to an unstarred question (A.Q No. 1523) tabled by MLA Sheikh Ahsan Ahmad, the Transport Department, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that as per Government Notification S.O.P-MVD of 2017 dated June 22, 2017, all school and college students in Jammu and Kashmir are entitled to 50 percent concession in bus fare while travelling in buses operated by JKRTC, subject to valid student identification.

The government further said that no proposal is currently under consideration to provide a dedicated Smart Bus service from Lal Chowk to University of Kashmir exclusively for female students.

It, however, informed that Srinagar Smart City Limited is operating a limited fleet of Smart Buses, with six buses currently plying on the Jehangir Chowk–Hazratbal route via Khanyar, and two buses operating between Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) and Women’s College, Batapora via Dargah Hazratbal, catering to the commuting needs of female students.

The government further said that one JKRTC e-bus is operating on the Lal Chowk–Gulab Bagh route via Dargah Hazratbal, which also serves students of the University of Kashmir.

The Transport Department said that JKRTC is not in a position to operate a dedicated bus service exclusively for female students on the said route due to limited fleet strength—(KNO)

J&K Govt affirms transparent regularisation of Daily Rated Workers, denies regional disparity

Says over 58,000 eligible workers regularised under rules

Srinagar, Mar 28: The government on Saturday said that the regularisation of Daily Rated Workers (DRWs) and Work Charged Employees in Jammu and Kashmir has been carried out strictly as per rules, asserting that there is no regional disparity in the process.

Replying to a starred question by MLA Arvind Gupta in the Legislative Assembly, the government, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that under SRO-64 of 1994, all eligible daily wagers who fulfilled the prescribed conditions as on March 31, 1994, were considered for regularisation.

It said that cases were referred by respective departments to an empowered committee, which examined each case in detail to ensure adherence to eligibility criteria before approval. “The process was transparent and rule-based, leaving no scope for arbitrariness. As such, the question of regional disparity does not arise,” it said, adding that no region-wise data is maintained.

The government informed that a total of 55,983 DRWs/Work Charged Employees have been cleared for regularisation by the empowered committee. Besides, 2,492 election-related DRWs were regularised by the General Administration Department, taking the total number to 58,475.

Regarding the implementation of court directions, the government said that orders of the High Court which have attained finality are being implemented. However, in cases where legal remedies have been availed, the matters are sub-judice, and action will follow the final outcome of judicial proceedings.

Department-wise details (till Feb 2019) include: PHE/I&FC (20,482), State PSUs/Autonomous Corporations (8,133), Forest (7,679), Public Works (6,456), Agriculture/Rural Development (3,786), Power Development (2,325), Tourism (1,677), Industries & Commerce (1,428), Consumer Affairs (1,350), Housing & Urban Development (1,362), Estates (446), Home (270), Technical Education (198), Health & Medical Education (152), Animal & Sheep Husbandry (75), Finance (58), ARI & Trainings (49), Revenue (18), Law (17), Science & Technology (7), General Administration (6), Floriculture (4), Labour & Employment (2), Social Welfare (2), Planning & Development (1)—(KNO)

According to the MET Centre Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir is set to experience a mix of cloudy skies, intermittent rainfall, and snowfall (in higher reaches) over the coming days. The weather activity is expected to intensify between March 29–30, followed by gradual improvement.

Detailed Forecast

📅 March 29–30

• Partly to generally cloudy conditions across J&K
• Intermittent light to moderate rain at most places
• Snowfall in higher reaches
• Thunderstorms and gusty winds (40–50 km/h) likely during late night hours
• Weather expected to improve after March 30 night

📅 March 31

• Brief spell of light rain/snow at a few places

📅 April 1–2

• Partly to generally cloudy
• Light rain at isolated locations

📅 April 3–4

• Cloudy conditions persist
• Light rain/snow at scattered places

📅 April 5–7

• Mostly partly cloudy weather
• No major weather disturbances expected

⚠️ Advisory Issued

The MET Centre Srinagar has issued important advisories for residents, farmers, and travelers:

🌧️ Weather Risks

• Moderate rainfall likely at some places
• Moderate snowfall in higher reaches of North & Central Kashmir
• Thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (40–50 km/h) expected

⛰️ Landslide Warning

• Risk of landslides in vulnerable areas due to rainfall and snowmelt

🌾 Advisory for Farmers

• Farmers are advised to suspend all farming operations during this period

🚗 Advisory for Travellers

• Follow official traffic advisories
• Plan journeys carefully, especially in hilly and landslide-prone areas

Jammu & Kashmir is heading into a short spell of active weather, especially between March 29–30, with rain, snowfall, and strong winds. While conditions will stabilize gradually, caution is advised during peak disturbance days.

Stay updated with official weather bulletins and prioritize safety if traveling or working outdoors.

ACB traps, arrests Jal Shakti executive engineer in Awantipora for Rs 12,000 bribe

Srinagar, Mar 28: The J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau on Saturday said they have arrested Executive Engineer of Jal Shakti (PHE) Mechanical Division South Awantipora after catching him red-handed while accepting a Rs 12,000 bribe for clearing AMC bills.

They said, the arrest followed a complaint alleging he had demanded Rs 20,000, of which Rs 8,000 had already been paid earlier.

In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said the J&K Anti Corrupting Bureau received a written complaint to the effect that Executive Engineer Jal Shakti (PHE) Mechanical Division South Awantipora namely Manzoor Ahmad Dar is demanding a bribe of ₹20,000 from him for clearing of Bills on account of Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) works carried out by him at the said PHE Mechanical Division, out of which the complainant has earlier paid an amount of ₹8000 to the suspect and the remaining amount of ₹12000 was to be paid after the clearance of the bills.

He said, the complainant chose not to pay bribe and instead approached Anti Corruption Bureau for taking legal action against the said Executive Engineer as envisaged under law.

“On receipt of the complaint, a discreet verification was conducted which confirmed the demand by the said Govt. employee and accordingly Case FIR No. 02/2026 u/s 7 of P/C Act 1988 read with amendment Act-2018 was registered in P/S ACB Anantnag and investigation was taken up,” said the spokesperson.

He said during the course of investigation a trap team was constituted. The team laid a successful trap and caught the said Govt. employee Manzoor Ahmad Dar S/o Ghulam Mohammad Dar R/o Daf Pora Budgam red handed while demanding and accepting bribe.

“He was arrested on spot and bribe amount was also recovered from his possession in presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team.”

“Subsequently, search of residential houses of the accused Govt. employee was carried out in presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses. Further investigation of the instant case is going on,” the spokesperson said.—(KNO)

Rain, Snow Likely Across J&K Till March 30; Director MET

MET Srinagar Issues Advisory for Farmers, Travellers

Srinagar, Mar 28: The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast a spell of generally cloudy weather with intermittent rain and snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir over the next few days, officials said on Saturday.

Director MET Centre Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, said that from March 28 to 30, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy towards evening with intermittent light to moderate rain in plains and snowfall over higher reaches at most places. He added that thunder, lightning and gusty winds with speeds of 40–50 kmph are likely from the night of March 28 to the night of March 30.

He said March 31 is likely to witness generally cloudy conditions with brief spells of light rain or snow at scattered places. From April 1 to 2, weather is expected to remain partly to generally cloudy with brief light rain at isolated locations. Between April 3 and 4, there are chances of light rain or snowfall at scattered places, while from April 5 to 7, partly cloudy conditions with isolated light rain or snow are expected.

The MET Department has issued an advisory warning of moderate snowfall over higher reaches of North and Central Kashmir, along with thunder and gusty winds during the night of March 28 to 30. There is also a possibility of landslides at vulnerable locations.

Farmers have been advised to suspend farm operations during March 29 and 30, while travellers have been urged to follow traffic advisories and plan their movement accordingly. (KNC)