Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 17: The contractual nursing staff of SKIMS, Soura appointed under the academic arrangement last year today staged a protest demanding an extension in their contract which ended in October, 2021.
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The protestors appeared in the Press Enclave and were raising slogans in favour of their demands, urging the administration to ensure that they are given the necessary extension.
“We have been appointed under the academic arrangement by virtue of a contract for 6 months; it was stated that we will hold the job until such posts are filled by the competent authority,” the staff said.
They said that their contract ended on October 28, 2021, and that they are waiting since then for the authorities to extend their contract so that they could continue their duties.
“3 months have passed and we are yet to get the extension, more so, we are being told that it will be done, but we have not seen anything so far,” they said.
85 such individuals were appointed under the academic arrangement who said that many of them are still reporting for the duties even as some of them have already tested positive for COVID.
Meanwhile, SKIMS PRO said that the file about the extension of contractual nursing staff has been submitted to the Government and is under active consideration.
“The said contractual nursing staff has not been attending their duties for the last 3 to 4 days putting patients at the inconvenience. They were time and again informed by the concerned authorities that the file is being processed and orders will be issued after pending approval.
“They are not attending duties but using social media platforms to create unnecessary confusion,” SKIMS said.