128 Brick Kilns out of 199 deposit royalty in Budgam: Deputy Chief Minister
Rs 289.39 Cr under SDRF, Rs. 100 Cr under UT Capex released during 2025-26 for urgent flood restoration works in J&K: Deputy Chief Minister
JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary today said that the Jammu and Kashmir has revised the minimum wages in respect of the scheduled employments in October 2002 and any further revision will be done as and when the GoI notifies and implements the National Floor Wages under Code on Wages 2019, which shall be applicable to Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Deputy Chief Minister, said this while replying to a question on enhancement of minimum wages, raised by Legislator Ali Mohammad Dar in the Legislative Assembly.
He said that the Government of India, through the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the office of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), has issued notifications revising the minimum wage structure applicable under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
He added that these revisions are based on adjustments to the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA), which is linked to the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW), and aim to address inflationary pressures and cost-of-living across skill for workers increases categories.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that under the latest available central notifications (effective October 1, 2024 and subsequently updated), the minimum wage rates for workers employed in the unorganized sector and scheduled employments have been revised upwards for all skill categories including unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers along with higher rates for highly skilled workers.
He added that these revised wages take into account both basic wage and VDA components, as notified by the Government of India.
The Deputy CM also said that, under the Code on Wages, 2019 (now in force w.e.f 21st of November 2025 in pan India also in J&K as part of the consolidated labour codes), the Government of India has established provisions for national floor minimum wage and strengthened mechanisms for periodic revision of minimum wages based on socio- economic criteria. He added that Minimum wages Act, 1948 has been subsumed under code of wages, 2019 and now wages will be governed under this code.
He further said that the Government of Jammu & Kashmir revised the minimum wages in respect of scheduled employments vide S. O. 513 dated 12.10.2022. he informed that in terms of Section 3(1) (b) of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, appropriate Government is empowered to issue notifications for revision of the rates of minimum wages in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of the Act, and the said revision shall remain operative till October, 2027. He further informed that as and when the Government of India notifies and implements the National Floor Wages under Code on Wages 2019 and same shall be applicable to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
On the subject, legislators Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami and Hasnain Masoodi raised supplementary questions.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today informed the House that there are 199 Brick Kilns in the district Budgam out of which 128 Brick kilns have deposited the royalty in District Mineral officer Budgam on account of Consumption of Brick earth during the current financial year.
The Deputy Chief Minister said this while replying to a question regarding Brick Kilns, raised by Legislator Dr. Shafi Ahmad Wani in the Legislative Assembly.
He informed the house that the Geology and Mining Department is entrusted to monitor the raw material procured by the unit holders for processing and its transportation comes from legitimate sources only.
The Deputy CM added that as per records provided by DMO, Budgam, 107 Crusher unit holders and 44 Hot wet mix plants are registered on the departmental web portal, geologyminingjk.gov.in with updation of legal quantity and its sale/transportation through proper e- challans/ e-permits only.
Replying to supplementary question, raised by Legislator Ali Mohammad Dar, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the Government will examine the recent demolition of brick kilns in Budgam district.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today said that Rs 289.39 crores were released during the current financial year, 2025-26, under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), besides an amount of Rs. 100.00 crores (Rs 5.00 crore for each district) has been released under the UT Capex Budget (2025-26) of DMRRR under the activity “Flood Relief Measures” to undertake urgent flood restoration works across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Deputy Chief Minister said this while replying to a question, on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, raised by Legislator Rajiv Jasrotia in the House.
He informed the Assembly that no funds till date have been released by the Government of India for flood restoration works during the current financial year 2025-26.
The Deputy CM also said that based on the report of Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), the Gol under SASCI (Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment) has allocated Rs. 1431.00 Cr. for J&K for flood restoration works.
He added that, Jal Shakti Department has received funds for ongoing flood management projects under Flood Management & Border Area Programme (FMBAP) during the current financial year. He said that the released funds are mainly for Flood Management Works JK-21, JK-22, JK-23 amounting to Rs. 164.35 lacs and for Comprehensive Flood Management of River Jhelum, Phase-II (Part-A) amounting to Rs. 6041.25 lacs.