Employees to protest pending 3% DA, regularization of 61,000 daily wagers on Jan 16

Srinagar: Frustrated with the delay in the release of 3% Dearness Allowance (DA) for over seven months and demanding the regularization of daily wagers, the Employees Joint Consultative Committee (EJCC) is set to hold protest demonstrations in both Jammu and Srinagar.
Aijaz Ahmad Khan, Chairman EJCC here on Wednesday outlined the key issues prompting the protests. These include the pending 3% DA since July 2024, unresolved house rent allowance matters, and amendments made by the previous government to SRO 43, which they believe should be restored to its original 1996 form under the Farooq Abdullah-led government.
“Additionally, we have urged the government to regularize 61,000 daily wagers. Before the elections, political leaders, including Omar Abdullah, promised that employee-related issues would be resolved immediately after the polls. Unfortunately, it seems the government is not serious about addressing these concerns. This protest aims to ensure our voices are heard,” Khan said.
The protest, initially planned for January 13, was postponed due to the Prime Minister’s visit to inaugurate the Sonamarg Tunnel. As per employee leaders, the demonstration has now been rescheduled for January 16 in both Srinagar and Jammu.
“The protest was originally planned at the Srinagar Press Colony and in Jammu. However, given the Prime Minister’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir on January 13, our core group decided it would be inappropriate to hold the protest on the same day. Therefore, the event has been moved to January 16,” Khan said.
He further noted that during this phase, the protest will be led by EJCC leaders in both regions, without involving general employees at this stage. “If the government does not take notice of our concerns after this demonstration, we will decide on the next course of action,” the EJCC Chairman said