DODA, 11 FEB – Mehraj Malik, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Doda, has submitted a series of pointed questions to the government ahead of the upcoming assembly session in March. His letter highlights critical issues affecting his constituency and the broader Jammu & Kashmir region, focusing on employment regularization, infrastructure, environmental impact, and governance.
In a document shared on his social media, Malik outlined concerns regarding daily wage workers, power projects in Chenab Valley, education, healthcare, and taxation policies. He stated that additional topics, including the status of vocational teachers, Special Police Officers (SPOs), and MGNREGA workers, would be incorporated later.
One of the key themes of Malik’s letter is the precarious employment situation in the region. He questioned whether the government maintains records of daily wage workers who died while on duty and asked if there is a structured plan to regularize those who have served for years. He also sought clarity on the post-retirement benefits available to them.
Additionally, Malik raised concerns about employees hired under the Rehbar-e-Taleem (RET) pattern, including NYC, REK, REJ, CIC Operators, and National Health Mission (NHM) workers. He argued that despite serving for over 15 years, they remain unregularized and are paid salaries below Rs 20,000, despite a 2014 cabinet order regarding their employment status.
Malik questioned the government’s policies concerning communities affected by large-scale power projects in Chenab Valley. While the region plays a crucial role in electricity generation, he argued that local residents see little benefit and suffer from environmental damage, displacement, and infrastructure issues.
He urged authorities to disclose any planned compensation or benefits for affected communities and demanded details of environmental rehabilitation efforts, including whether Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) had been conducted. Additionally, he raised safety concerns over vehicles falling into reservoirs created by power projects and called for immediate preventive measures.
Education and healthcare infrastructure in District Doda were also prominent in Malik’s letter. He asked the government to provide details on vacant lecturer posts in higher secondary schools and questioned why contractual lecturers receive delayed extensions, disrupting students’ academic continuity.
Similarly, he sought information on vacant posts in hospitals and health centers across the district, pressing for a clear government strategy to fill them and ensure sufficient healthcare services.
Malik criticized alleged illegal tax collection along National Highway-244 by municipal authorities, particularly the imposition of “Adda” tax without proper parking facilities. He called for immediate government intervention to curb such practices.
He also questioned whether the government has a policy ensuring employment priority for local youth in power and development projects in Chenab Valley. Additionally, he sought details on vehicle taxation strategies within municipal limits to ensure fair and transparent tax collection.
Malik’s letter underscores the growing concerns over governance, employment, and resource distribution in Jammu & Kashmir. By raising these issues in the legislative assembly, he is likely to put pressure on the government to address long-standing grievances of daily wagers, contractual employees, and residents affected by power projects.
With the assembly session set to begin in March, these questions could spark debates on policy direction and accountability, particularly concerning employment security and economic development in hilly districts like Doda.
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