Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 12: Responding to the call of Joint Action Committee (JAC) of J&K Health & Medical Education (H&ME) Employees, a one-day strike was observed here today across the Government H&ME institutions of J&K.
The strike was organized to protest against the Government Order to discontinue allowances equivalent to two and a half days’ salary for non-gazetted health employees performing duties on Sundays and gazetted holidays.
Referring to the constitution of a committee on March 11, 2026 regarding the issue, the JAC stated that the move appears to be merely a delay tactic.
The JAC pointed out that the committee does not adequately represent the paramedical staff, most affected by the order. Instead, the committee appears to be largely focused on ministerial staff, which has caused serious concern and resentment among paramedical and other non-gazetted health employees.
It is pertinent to mention that since February 9, 2026, the H&ME employees are conducting peaceful protests to highlight their grievance.
A handout stated that due to the absence of any positive and time-bound response from the Government, the JAC was compelled to intensify its agitation by observing a full-day strike today.
Addressing a gathering at Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, JKMEF president, Jaswinder Singh stated that for more than three decades the non-gazetted health employees have been legally receiving compensation for performing duties on Sundays and gazetted holidays and the sudden stoppage of these payments is unjustified.
He appealed to the CM Omar Abdullah, Health Minister Sakina Ittoo and the Administrative Secretary, H&ME Department to intervene.
During the past several days, representatives of JAC also met the Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo along with other senior officials and MLAs to highlight the issue.
Chairman JKMEF and Member PCI Sushil Sudan also spoke on the occasion.
The JAC stated that if the Government fails to resolve the issue by March 23, 2026, then they will intensify the agitation by observing a two-day full strike across all Government Health Institutions in J&K on March 24 and 25, 2026.
Prominent speakers who addressed the gathering included Perfulat Singh, general secretary JKMEF; Rakesh Bakshi, president Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar; Harpal Singh, president X-Ray Technicians Association; Ajay Phool and Onkar Singh, vice president JKMEF; Harpreet Kour, SMGSH; Garu Sharma, Anoop Kholi and Yograj.
Similar protest demonstration was also held at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu where Arun Sharma led the protest.
Meanwhile, paramedical staff at GMC Rajouri and its Associated Hospitals observed a two-hour protest under the leadership of their District president, Nasir Khan to resent order regarding deduction of two days’ salaries of nursing and paramedical staff. Senior doctors including Dr. Jameel-ul-Hussain, Head of Department Medicine and Coordinator Government Nursing College Rajouri and Dr. Javed Iqbal also extended their support to the protesting staff. Principal Dr. A.S Bhatia and Medical Superintendent, Dr. Shamim Ahmed met the protesting employees and assured them that the matter is under consideration with the government and after this the protesting employees peacefully called off their agitation.
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