Srinagar, Feb 11: The Cadres, Community Coordinators (CCs), Cluster Development Executive Officers (CDEOs), and Bank Sakhis/Mitras affiliated with the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM) have raised their voices against what they describe as inadequate compensation for their extensive and multifaceted roles. They are demanding a revision in their honorarium policy, citing a significant disparity in pay compared to their counterparts in other states.
The workers argue that their current honorarium does not reflect the breadth of their responsibilities, which often extend far beyond their official duties. These tasks include member profiling, updating records, managing financial transactions, conducting community meetings, facilitating bank linkages, promoting insurance schemes, and participating in various government programs and surveys. Additionally, they play a critical role in recovering payments from defaulters, often going door-to-door to ensure timely repayments, and attending bankers’ workshops to stay updated on financial policies, said one of the Cadre.
Bank Sakhis/Mitras, in particular, have highlighted that their workload has increased significantly over the years. Despite this, their monthly honorarium was reduced from ₹5,500 to ₹3,500, further exacerbating their financial struggles. They argue that this reduction is unjust, given the vital role they play in the success of rural livelihood programs, another Cadre said.
The Caders have also pointed out that their counterparts in other states receive significantly higher compensation for similar work. They claim that their honorarium has remained stagnant for the past eight years, despite repeated appeals for a revision.
In a bid to resolve the issue, the Caders, including Bank Sakhis/Mitras, have requested a meeting with the Managing Director of JKRLM to discuss their grievances and seek a fair resolution. They are urging the administration to recognize their contributions and implement a revised honorarium policy that reflects the value of their work.
