Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 30: Employees working under the National Health Mission (NHM), including doctors, paramedics and management staff, have once again urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to address their long-pending demands, warning that continued delay may force them to resort to peaceful protests.
In a press statement, the NHM employees said they have been raising genuine issues for over 25 years, particularly the absence of a job policy, wide salary disparities and lack of social security.
“But these issues remained unresolved so far despite these employees continuing to render uninterrupted services in difficult terrains, rural and far-flung areas,” they said.
On regularization, the employees pointed out that all relevant records and proposals are already available with the concerned administrative departments at the Civil Secretariat under File No. HD/NHM/10/2015.
They referred to multiple Government orders and stated that a high-level committee and a subsequent sub-committee had earlier recommended phased regularization of 1026 NHM employees, which was also approved on the floor of the Assembly.
According to them, it was proposed that experienced NHM staff be absorbed against vacant sanctioned posts in the Health and Medical Education Department to address staff shortages and improve health service delivery.
The employees also highlighted recent developments during 2025-26, including communications from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and proposals submitted by the Mission Director NHM and Director Health Services Kashmir, all advocating absorption of NHM staff against vacant regular posts.
Pending regularization, the employees also demanded immediate formulation of service byelaws on the pattern of other states, stating that despite assurances since 2022, no concrete progress has been made.
They also sought salary revision for 2026-27, citing rising inflation and the crucial role played by NHM workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2014 floods and other emergencies.
They urged the Government to utilize HR rationalization funds to reduce salary disparities. On social security, NHM employees demanded a golden handshake assistance of Rs 25 lakh for retiring employees, EPF coverage for all categories, enhanced leave benefits, group medical insurance and payment of pending hardship allowances.
The employees appealed to the authorities to take time-bound decisions in the interest of public health services and warned that failure to do so would compel them to intensify their agitation.
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