J&K Lab Staff Association Voices Concern Over Delay in Honorarium Enhancement and Regularisation
Srinagar, June 3: The All Jammu and Kashmir Lab Staff Association today convened an urgent meeting to highlight the pressing issues faced by water testing laboratory staff across the Union Territory.
The meeting focused on longstanding demands such as the enhancement of honorarium and the regularisation of services, which the Association says have been ignored for years despite consistent performance by the lab staff since 2012.
Expressing serious concern, the Association stated that instead of being acknowledged for their achievements, the lab staff are facing increasing mental harassment through stringent administrative measures. These include phase-wise fund allotments, unrealistic monthly testing targets, and restrictions imposed on field officers recommending funds for lab staff—actions the Association deems “unjustified and illegal.”
Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Mohsin Bhat, a prominent member of the Association, said, “It is unfortunate that despite our sacrifices to ensure water quality monitoring across J&K, we are being treated as soft targets to fulfill departmental targets and directives, while our basic demands remain unmet.”
The Association pointed out disparities in the implementation of centrally sponsored schemes. While most schemes operate under auto-renewal systems and staff are paid as per the guidelines, J&K lab staff are forced to seek continuation orders every year—a process that often takes months.
Referring to Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) guidelines, Mr. Bhat noted that the monthly target for online water testing is supposed to be 250 samples, amounting to 3,000 annually. However, this has recently been increased to 300 samples per month without any consultation, adding further burden on the already overstretched staff.
“How are we expected to meet enhanced targets when we are still struggling for continuation orders, honorarium disbursement through PFMS, and the long-pending enhancement file?” Bhat questioned.
He further alleged that while JJM guidelines are being implemented in full spirit for operational purposes, the same seriousness is missing when it comes to addressing the welfare of lab staff. “New circulars are being issued to create hurdles instead of resolving the legitimate demands of qualified lab professionals who are managing NABL-accredited labs on meagre honorarium,” he said.
The Association revealed that the file for a proposed 10% enhancement in honorarium—mentioned in the minutes of meeting (Video No: PW/Hyd/P&S/210WSSO dated 19/05/2017)—has been pending with the Finance Department since 2023 and continues to be moved from table to table.
Bhat emphasized that lab staff were recruited through proper selection procedures and not via backdoor entries, and therefore deserve due recognition, decent pay, and regularisation. He appealed to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department and the Mission Director of JJM to intervene and ensure approval of the enhancement file through the Finance Department.
He also urged the Chief Engineers of both Jammu and Kashmir divisions to switch to yearly fund allotments instead of phase-wise distribution and to ensure immediate release of the 10% honorarium hike.
Bhat called upon all lab staff across J&K to unite under a common platform and take the legal route to seek redressal. “Our patience is running out. This is the right time to set aside all differences and fight for our legitimate rights collectively and lawfully,” he asserted.
