Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 25: Protests by health and medical employees intensified across Jammu and Kashmir on the second day of their two-day strike, affecting services in several Government hospitals and medical colleges.
The agitation, led by the Joint Action Committee (JAC), witnessed large gatherings and demonstrations in institutions across the Union Territory, reflecting widespread resentment among employees.
The strike has been called against a recent order issued by the Health and Medical Education Department on January 20, 2026, which discontinued the allowance equivalent to 2.5 days’ salary for non-gazetted employees working on Sundays and gazetted holidays.
Employees termed the move unjustified and said it has adversely affected their long-standing benefits. Click here to watch video
Addressing protesting employees at Government Medical College Jammu and Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, the President of the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Employees Federation, Jaswant Singh, strongly criticized the decision, calling it a violation of an earlier Government order of 1991 under which such compensation had been provided for decades.
He said the sudden withdrawal of the allowance has demoralised the workforce.
Singh also expressed concern over the delay in resolving the issue, stating that a committee constituted by the Government on March 11, 2026, has failed to submit its report within the stipulated time.
He warned that the employees would not accept any partial or category-based solution.
Meanwhile, protests were also reported from Rajouri and Poonch, where employees held demonstrations and submitted memorandums to local representatives.
The JAC leaders warned that if their demands, including restoration of the allowance and release of pending dues, are not met by March 30, a three-day strike will be observed from April 1 to 3.
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