Srinagar: More than 3,000 employees of the Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Department have been facing severe financial hardship as they have not received their salaries for the past several months. The situation has become particularly acute following the retirement of nine Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) last month without immediate replacements, bringing routine payment operations to a standstill.
The delay in salary disbursement has impacted not only regular staff but also daily wagers, Daily Rated Workers (DRWs), and helpers working in various wings of the department.
Sources within the department said that the absence of 9 DDOs has created a major administrative bottleneck. Bills for salaries and other expenditures could not be processed, leaving thousands of families in distress, especially in rural areas where many employees depend solely on government salaries.
“Employees at all levels — from senior officers to field workers and daily wagers — are suffering equally. Many have taken loans to meet basic household expenses. This is severely affecting morale and the functioning of vital agricultural extension services,” a senior official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
The Agriculture Department plays a crucial role in supporting farmers across Jammu and Kashmir through various schemes, seed distribution, training programs, and mushroom cultivation initiatives. Insiders fear that prolonged non-payment could lead to reduced efficiency in field operations during the critical farming season.
Employees have appealed to the Lieutenant Governor’s administration and the Finance Department to intervene urgently by appointing new DDOs and releasing pending salaries at the earliest. They also demanded that the cases of daily wagers, DRWs, and helpers be addressed on priority so that the lowest-paid sections are not left further vulnerable.
When contacted, a senior officer in the Agriculture Department acknowledged the issue and stated that the matter has been brought to the notice of higher authorities. “The process for replacement of retired DDOs is underway and efforts are being made to clear the pending salaries soon,” the officer said.
This is not the first time employees in various J&K departments have faced salary delays due to administrative and procedural issues. The current crisis in the Agriculture Department has once again highlighted the need for faster digitalization and decentralization of payment processes to prevent such hardships in future.
The affected employees continue to wait for relief as they struggle to manage their financial obligations amid rising costs of essential commodities.
