Hundreds of labourers, enlisted by authorities to clear weeds and enhance the beauty of Dal Lake, have gone unpaid for the past five months. The J&K Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) has failed to address this issue, leaving the labourers in a state of distress. Initially, these labourers received their payments from the LCMA, but they were later transferred to a contractor who had not paid them for several months. The initial question that arises is why the wages of more than five hundred workers were transferred to the contractor in the first place. If the rules stipulate that only the contractor can distribute wages, then there should have been checks and balances in place to ensure proper payment. The fact that these workers have gone without wages for five consecutive months is a serious matter that warrants a thorough investigation. Since provident fund deductions and other financial transactions have taken place, the Labour Department must investigate the matter to ensure that the money has been properly deposited and accounted for. The cleanliness and maintenance of Dal Lake are of paramount importance, as they play a vital role in Kashmir’s tourism industry. Despite this, the LCMA has not treated the issue of these daily wage labourers with the seriousness it deserves.
This lack of urgency is unacceptable from a Government Department, especially when there is no shortage of funds for the LCMA. A proper investigation is the only way to uncover the real reasons for this delay and ensure that these five hundred-plus labourers, who rely on these meagre wages to support their families, receive timely what is rightfully theirs. There can be no justification for withholding a portion of their wages for five months. The matter remains unresolved, with only assurances given, which are not enough to sustain the workers’ families. Immediate intervention from the highest authorities is necessary to ensure the prompt release of wages. The department must act professionally and compassionately to rectify this situation.
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