By | Dr Ashfaq Lone
Kupwara, February 28, 2025 – The J&K MGNREGA Engineers Association (Kupwara Unit) has voiced serious concerns over what they describe as continued neglect and exploitation of MGNREGA engineers working under the Rural Development Department (RDD). Despite holding professional degrees and managing multiple flagship schemes, including MGNREGA, ADF, 14th FC, SBM, DDC, and BDC, these engineers are paid a meager ₹16,500 per month—an amount they argue does not reflect their qualifications, expertise, or extensive workload.
Many of these engineers have dedicated years of service to the department, only to find themselves overage and ineligible for other government jobs. The absence of a long-term career plan has left hundreds of skilled professionals in a state of uncertainty, despite their crucial role in executing development projects at the grassroots level. The association has called this situation “exploitative and demoralizing” and urged the government to recognize their contributions.
The engineers are demanding salary parity with regular Junior Engineers (JEs), emphasizing that they possess equivalent or even higher qualifications but are paid significantly less. They insist on equal pay for equal work and are calling for a structured roadmap for their permanent absorption into the department. With over 800 JE vacancies available, the association argues that the government should prioritize the regularization of existing MGNREGA engineers instead of deputing staff from the Public Works Department (PWD).
The association has appealed to Chief Minister, Omer Abdullah, Cabnit Minister RDD and to intervene and address their grievances.
Warning of potential protests if their demands remain unaddressed, the engineers stated that they would be left with no choice but to explore “stronger democratic means of protest” if the government fails to act. For now, they await a response, hoping for a resolution that ensures fair wages and job security for their years of service.
