JnK NHM staff launch 72-Hour strike over demand for regularisation, salary deductions
72-Hour Strike by NHM Staff Highlights Salary Grievances in Bhalessa
Jammu: To protest the deduction of 2.5 days’ salary from their monthly wages, medical staff under the National Health Mission (NHM) in Bhalessa district launched a 72-hour strike on Thursday. The protest began outside the Sub-District Hospital in Gandoh, where staff held posters demanding the release of the withheld payment.
The strike was called following an official notice issued by the Medical Employees Federation of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the protesting employees, the deducted amount was traditionally paid for overtime work on Sundays, public holidays, and night shifts. Many highlighted disparities between NHM staff and regular government employees.
Speaking to TOI, the protester said, “This protest is for the salary of 2.5 days. We used to get the salary for 2.5 days because we did our duty on Sundays, gazetted holidays, and nights.” Another demonstrator alleged disparity between NHM and regular staff. “Our regular staff's salary for 2.5 days should be released... Why are we from NHM not getting equal salary? I request the state government to increase our salary or make us regular.”
The strike is led by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Health and Medical College Employees, supported by the Jammu Kashmir Medical Employees Federation (JKMEF). Jaswinder Singh, JKMEF president, criticized the inaction of a special committee formed on March 11 to resolve the issue, saying it has failed to engage with JAC representatives.
Sushil Sudan, chairman of JKMEF, alongside members of the Paramedical Council of India (PCI), highlighted the Government’s delayed response over the past three months. Arun Sharma (president, GMC Jammu) strongly condemned the allowance withdrawal, terming it a clear violation of previous government mandates, reports Daily Excelsior.
The strike triggered coordinated protests across multiple institutions, including GMC Kathua, GMC Rajouri, GMC Udhampur, GMC Doda, SMGS Hospital Jammu, IG Dental College, and district hospitals in Poonch, Samba, and Reasi. During the protest, OPD services and elective surgeries were suspended from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though emergency services continued to ensure critical patient care.
The National Health Mission, a central government initiative, provides financial and technical support to states and Union Territories to improve healthcare access, particularly for vulnerable populations. The programme emphasises strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure, enhancing human resources, and improving service delivery, with district-level decentralized planning, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Also Read:Punjab issues final ultimatum to 1,500 nurses, calls strike illegal
