Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 10: A delegation from the Jammu Kashmir Medical Employees Federation (JKMEF), led by its president Sushil Sudan, recently met Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary to discuss pressing issues faced by health employees in the Jammu region. During the meeting, the delegation submitted a memorandum of demands and sought immediate redressal of various concerns.
One of the primary issues raised was the six-month delay in the release of salaries for employees under the 2211 head. Despite approval from the State Administrative Council through decision Number 63/05/204 dated June 7, 2024, and subsequent Government orders for the regularization and release of funds amounting to Rs 5558.75 lakhs, the employees continue to face financial hardships, with many on the verge of starvation.
The delegation also emphasized the need to change the nomenclature of Pharmacists to Pharmacy Officers, in line with central government reforms. They highlighted the critical role pharmacists play in the healthcare system, from sub-centres to district hospitals and medical colleges.
Another demand was the release of COVID-19 incentives announced by the Lieutenant Governor in 2021 for healthcare workers, which remain unpaid for many employees, despite being disbursed earlier in GMC Jammu and associated hospitals.
Other issues discussed included the reorganization of the electrician cadre in the Health Department, inclusion of health employees and pensioners under central Government health schemes, and framing a policy for the regularization of NHM, HDF, RNTCP, and contractual staff.
The Deputy Chief Minister assured the delegation that their grievances would be addressed promptly. Prominent members of the delegation included Prafulat Singh, Shaffket Hussain Sheikh, Onkar Singh, Mohd Aslam, RP Singh, Mukhter Ahmed, Surjeet Rajan, Sunil Chauhan, Sanjay Choudhary, Tejinder Singh, Kulwant Singh, Rajinder Sharma, Dalip Kumar, Ashwani Kumar, Anita Devi, Neelam Kumari, Sapna Gupta, Arti Devi and several others.
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