J&K minister admits daily wagers in PHE not being paid salaries

Srinagar, Aug 24 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir government today admitted in the Legislative Council that more than ten thousand persons engaged in the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department were not being paid their salaries regularly.

Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Mohammad Dilawar Mir said that in all 10821 persons have been engaged so far on need basis in the PHE with effect from 1996 to man different water supply schemes of the department.

He said the financial implications involved have been worked out to the tune of Rs 46 crore approximately per year. However, he said, against this only an amount of Rs 5.2 crore has been released so far which has resulted in the non-payment of wages to all such engaged persons.

He admitted that there is disparity in the payment of wages but assured that as soon as the funds are made available it would be removed.

The Minister was replying to calling attention notice moved by Mohammad Sharief Niaz.

UNI