Shiv Sena Demands Equal Pay for J&K Daily Wagers, Calls for Ladakh-Like Wage Policy, also Seeks Liquor Ban in Muslim Areas During Ramzan

Jammu,04-03-2025. Shiv Sena UBT state chief Manish Sahni has urged the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to enhance the honorarium of daily wage earners in Jammu and Kashmir, aligning it with the Union Territory of Ladakh, and to regularize temporary employees. Addressing media persons, Sahni highlighted that the Ladakh administration has set monthly salaries for temporary employees between Rs 28,950 and Rs 45,300, based on their service period, while the central government has fixed minimum daily wages between Rs 783 and Rs 1,035. However, in Jammu and Kashmir, daily wage earners receive only Rs 311-449, and mid-day meal cooks in government schools earn a mere Rs 1,000 per month, amounting to just Rs 33 per day. He condemned this disparity and demanded equal treatment for daily wage earners in Jammu and Kashmir, urging the government to ensure fair wages and regularization of temporary employees across various departments. Sahni also appealed to all MLAs, both from the ruling and opposition parties, to come together in support of these employees’ demands. General Secretary Vikas Bakshi was also present on the occasion.

In a separate demand, Manish Sahni called for liquor shops in Kashmir and Muslim-dominated areas to remain closed during the holy month of Ramzan. While addressing the media, he emphasized that he supports a complete liquor ban in Jammu and Kashmir, but until such a law is enacted, authorities should at least ensure liquor shops remain shut on significant religious days. He stated that many Muslim citizens have reached out to him, expressing their anguish over the sale of liquor during Ramzan. A resident of Pahalgam, Shafi, pointed out that liquor is sold near the main base camp of the Shri Amarnath Yatra, even during the pilgrimage and the holy month of Ramzan, which deeply hurts religious sentiments. Sahni urged the Chief Minister and Lieutenant Governor to prohibit liquor sales in Muslim-majority areas during Ramzan, respecting the religious faith of the people.