Jammu, February 9: The Jammu and Kashmir government informed the assembly on Monday that there is currently no proposal under consideration to regularize the assistant employees of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the union territory.
According to the government, approximately 3,800 employees are working under MGNREGA on a fully contract and temporary basis in Jammu and Kashmir.
This information was provided in a written response to a question raised by MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz, by the minister in charge of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department.
The government noted that these 3,800 MGNREGA support staff have seen periodic changes in their remuneration since their initial contract appointments.
Regarding the role of these employees, the department stated that MGNREGA staff are deployed at various levels, including panchayat, block, district, division, and union territory, playing a crucial role in implementing the rural employment scheme at the grassroots level.
On the question of regularization, the government reiterated that all assistant employees under the centrally sponsored MGNREGA scheme are appointed on a temporary, contract basis, valid only for the duration of the contract or the scheme, whichever ends first. Their appointments are not against any sanctioned posts.
The response stated, “As of today, there is no proposal to regularize the services of employees appointed under MGNREGA.”
However, the department mentioned that there have been periodic increases in the remuneration of assistant employees, with the latest revision issued under government order number 49-RT and PR, dated January 30, 2024.
Under the revised structure, the monthly remuneration has been increased as follows: Gram Rozgar Sevak (GRS) from ₹6,806 to ₹10,209; Technical Assistant from ₹11,000 to ₹16,500; MIS Operator from ₹11,000 to ₹13,200; and Administrative/Accounts Assistant from ₹6,806 to ₹10,209.
The government stated that any future increases in remuneration will be considered in subsequent meetings of the State Employment Guarantee Council (SEGC).
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S.C.H.