Minister for Finance, Dr Haseeb Drabu said that as per information received from departments around 61000 Casual Laborers and Need Based Workers were found engaged by departments after April 1994. He further added that 96 DRWs/CLs/NB workers and contractuals have been engaged by the Finance department in last five years.This was stated by the Minister while replying to a clubbed question by Ali Mohammad Dar, Sham Lal Bhagat, Master Noor Hussain, Ashok Khajuira and Vibodh Gupta in the Legislative Council today. The Minister said that Finance department releases wages within the approved budget at regular intervals. However, in some instances wages may not have been paid due to administrative reasons. He added in case any such instances of non-payment of wages due to non-availability of funds is brought into the notice of government, it is ensured that the funds are released and due wages are released.The Minister said that 3113 SPOs have been converted as followers/constables in terms of measures/additional measures put in place by the Home Department. The Minister added no policy for regularization of daily wagers has been framed as yet, adding that to address the issue, the government contemplates to constitute high power committee to examine the issue and give recommendations.