Will the J&K government regularise MGNREGA support staff?
Synopsis
The Jammu and Kashmir government has officially stated that there are no plans to regularise the MGNREGA support staff. Currently, around 3,800 individuals are working on a contractual basis. Despite honoring their contributions with periodic raises, regularisation remains off the table.
Key Takeaways
No plans for regularisation of MGNREGA support staff in Jammu and Kashmir.
Approximately 3,800 personnel engaged on a temporary basis.
Honorarium increases have been made periodically.
Current honorarium figures have been revised under a government order.
Future honorarium enhancements will be discussed in State Employment Guarantee Council meetings.
Jammu, Feb 9 (NationPress) The government of Jammu and Kashmir has communicated to the Legislative Assembly that there is currently no plan to regularise the support staff working under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) within the Union Territory.
Presently, approximately 3,800 personnel are engaged solely on a contractual and temporary basis under MGNREGA in Jammu and Kashmir.
This information was disclosed by the Minister In-charge of the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in response to a query from MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz.
The government elaborated that these MGNREGA support staff are stationed at various administrative levels including panchayat, block, district, divisional, and UT, and are integral to the effective grassroots implementation of the rural employment scheme.
Regarding the regularisation query, the government affirmed that all supporting personnel under the centrally sponsored MGNREGA scheme are appointed on a temporary, contractual basis, which remains effective only for the contract duration or the scheme's conclusion, whichever comes first.
Importantly, their engagement is not linked to any sanctioned vacancies.
“As of today, there is no proposal to regularise the services of staff working under MGNREGA,” the official reply confirmed.
Nevertheless, the department highlighted that the honorarium for support staff has seen periodic increases, with the most recent adjustment made under Government Order No. 49-RD&PR of 2024 dated January 30, 2024.
The newly revised honorarium structure includes increases such as: Gram Rozgar Sevak (GRS) from Rs 6,806 to Rs 10,209; Technical Assistant from Rs 11,000 to Rs 16,500; MIS Operator from Rs 11,000 to Rs 13,200; and Administrative/Accounts Assistant from Rs 6,806 to Rs 10,209.
The government also noted that any future adjustments to the honorarium would be evaluated in upcoming meetings of the State Employment Guarantee Council (SEGC).
Point of View
This decision by the Jammu and Kashmir government reflects a broader trend of temporary employment in public service. While the periodic increase in honorarium is commendable, the lack of job security for these essential workers raises concerns about the sustainability of rural employment initiatives.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many MGNREGA support staff are there in J&K?
Approximately 3,800 personnel are currently working under MGNREGA on a contractual and temporary basis in Jammu and Kashmir.
Is there any proposal to regularise MGNREGA staff?
No, the Jammu and Kashmir government has confirmed that there is currently no proposal to regularise the services of MGNREGA support staff.
How often is the honorarium for MGNREGA staff revised?
The honorarium for MGNREGA support staff has been periodically revised, with the latest revision effective from January 30, 2024.
What positions are included under MGNREGA support staff?
Positions include Gram Rozgar Sevak (GRS), Technical Assistant, MIS Operator, and Administrative/Accounts Assistant.
