JKRLM staff face salary delays of up to six months, warn of protests

Srinagar, March 18 : Employees working under the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM) are facing acute financial hardship due to prolonged delays in salary disbursement, with payments pending for up to six months in some cases.

The issue has raised concerns over the functioning of the programme, which is aimed at improving the socio-economic condition of rural women through livelihood support initiatives.

Officials familiar with the matter said salaries of District Programme Managers (DPMs) and Block Programme Managers (BPMs) have remained unpaid for the past three months. Field-level staff, including Cluster Coordinators, Community Development Extension Officers, Pashu Sakhis and other cadre members, are reportedly awaiting wages for nearly six months.

Employees said the delays have severely affected their daily lives, despite continued fieldwork and implementation of assigned responsibilities.

“We are struggling to meet basic household expenses, pay school fees of our children and even manage commuting costs for official duties,” an employee said.

They added that morale among field staff has been hit, with many continuing to work without clarity on when salaries will be released.

Staff members also expressed concern that the objective of the Rural Livelihood Mission is being undermined, as those responsible for implementing the programme are themselves facing financial distress.

“The mission is meant to uplift poor rural women, but those working on the ground are left without timely wages,” another employee said.

Sources said employees have made repeated representations to concerned authorities, claiming that funds for salary disbursement are available, but no clear response has been communicated regarding the delay.

Employees have warned of possible protests if their demands are not addressed, urging the government and higher authorities to intervene and ensure immediate release of pending salaries.

The Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission is a key programme aimed at poverty alleviation and women empowerment in rural areas through self-help groups and community-based initiatives. [KNT]