Jammu, Feb 2:
The Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) employees of Jammu & Kashmir have launched a coordinated diplomatic offensive to address long-standing wage grievances. Delegations across the Union Territory met with key political figures this past Sunday, securing high-level assurances that their demands for pay parity will be raised in the upcoming Assembly session and with the Chief Minister’s office.
Billawar: Commitment for Zero Hour
In Billawar, a delegation led by Mr. Kanav (Block President, All J&K MTS Association) and Mr. Parbhat Singh (Vice President) called on Hon’ble MLA Pt. Satish Sharma.
The representatives submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting the financial hardships faced by thousands of employees due to persistent wage gaps.
-
The Grievance: Wage disparity across various government departments.
-
The Outcome: MLA Sharma assured the delegation that he would formally introduce the matter during the Zero Hour of the upcoming Assembly session.
Rajouri: MP Mian Altaf to Engage Chief Minister
Parallel to the efforts in Billawar, Mr. Sharaz Mirza and a group of dedicated MTS employees met with Member of Parliament, Jenab Mian Altaf Sahib, during his visit to Rajouri.
The discussion centered on two critical bottlenecks:
-
Pay Disparity: The gap between J&K scales and national standards.
-
Stagnation: The lack of career progression opportunities for long-serving staff.
“Jenab Mian Altaf Sahib listened keenly to our concerns and has assured us that he will personally take up these matters with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the earliest convenience,” the delegation reported.
Suchetgarh & Samba: Challenging “Sub-Level” Scales
The movement also saw significant activity in Suchetgarh and Samba. In Suchetgarh, employees briefed the local MLA on a specific structural flaw: while MTS pay scales across India follow a standardized entry level, J&K continues to operate on a “sub-level” scale.
In Samba, the cause was championed before MLA Surjeet Singh Slathia, who joined other legislators in promising to utilize the Assembly’s Zero Hour to demand a “proper level” pay structure for the UT’s workforce.
The MTS workforce forms the backbone of departmental operations in J&K. The shift from “requests” to “coordinated political lobbying” suggests a growing frustration with the current sub-level pay scales. With multiple MLAs now committed to raising the issue during the Assembly’s Zero Hour, the pressure is mounting on the UT administration to bring J&K’s pay structures in line with the rest of the country.
