Not privilege but fundamental rights: Doctors slam J&K Govt for making maternity, paternity leave unpaid

The J&K health department issued an order on October 14, 2025, which stated that "pay and allowances shall be admissible only for the period during which the incumbent is executing their assignment/course and entitlement to pay and allowances during the period of maternity/paternity leave shall not be allowed."

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The order, addressed to the Government Dental College, Srinagar, and extended to all GMCs across J&K, was issued based on a clarification from the Finance Department as reported by Greater Kashmir. The government instructed all the government medical institutions to act in accordance with the new directive. 

This led to a deep sense of anger among resident doctors, who believe that the government had taken away their fundamental rights and pushed them into financial distress. They pointed out that doctors already work under extremely demanding conditions with low pay and little personal time. Denying them financial security during a legally sanctioned leave period, they said, adds another layer of exploitation to an already overburdened workforce.

What has angered the medical fraternity further is the policy reversal within just over a year. In July 2024, the H&ME Department issued Order No. 451-JK(HME) allowing paid maternity and paternity leave for Senior Residents, with simple tenure extensions — in line with National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines.

Issuing a statement in this regard, the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) of Government Medical College, Srinagar, expressed concern and strong objection to the recent communication and demanded the immediate revocation of the order. They urged the government to ensure that all residents availing maternity or paternity leave receive their full pay and allowances for the duration of the leave, in line with national and institutional norms.

The association said that while the order acknowledges the eligibility of residents for such leave as per applicable rules, the clause denying pay and allowances during the leave period is deeply unjust and contrary to both ethical and humanitarian principles.

"Maternity and paternity leaves are not privileges—they are fundamental rights recognized across all sectors, intended to safeguard the well-being of families and ensure a humane work-life balance," said the association. 

"Resident doctors already serve under extremely demanding conditions with limited remuneration and little regard for personal time. To deny them financial security during a legally sanctioned leave period adds yet another layer of exploitation to an already overburdened workforce. Such a move is regressive and demoralizing, and it undermines the dignity of medical professionals who dedicate their lives to public service. Resident doctors form the backbone of our hospitals, and policies that disregard their rights and well being threaten not only morale but also the quality of patient care," it added. 

In solidarity, the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Students' Association wrote in a post on 'X', "We condemn the use of unfair and coercive tactics against our residents. Denying contractual pay during maternity/paternity leave is unacceptable and demeans the workforce. These leaves are guaranteed rights, not privileges to be revoked. Stop penalizing the doctors who are indispensable to patient care."

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