Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 2: Employees under the National Health Mission (NHM) in hospitals across J&K today expressed frustration over the Government’s delay in implementing a regularization policy, urging the Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, to address their long pending issues.
Abdul Rauoof, Chief Spokesperson of the J&K National Health Mission Employees Association (JKNHMEA), Kashmir division, appealed to the Health Minister to prioritize the grievances of NHM employees, particularly the timely release of salaries.
“We urge the Minister to take cognizance of our issues and initiate steps to ensure our job, financial, and social security,” he said.
It is to be noted here that nearly 11,000 NHM employees in J&K are working diligently, performing essential duties with minimal pay and without allowances or job security benefits.
Rauoof emphasized that employees expect the government to meet their long-standing demands promptly, enabling them to contribute more effectively to the mission’s goals.
He recalled that in 2017 and 2018, the Government formed a committee of three senior officials to examine issues like a regularization policy, with one committee in 2017 having already submitted a draft proposal through the Finance Department for approval.
Since the NHM’s launch in J&K, employees claim that despite verbal assurances, the Government has failed to establish a formal regularization policy.
According to the spokesperson, no subsequent meetings have been held by higher authorities to address this urgent concern.
The NHM employees also highlighted their dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic, working extended shifts with unwavering commitment.
“It is unfortunate that our demand for regularization has not yet been addressed by the authorities. It’s high time for the government to resolve the issues NHM employees have been facing for years,” they added.
Employees expressed hope that the new UT administration, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, along with senior officials in the Health Department, would recognize their dedication and finally address their longstanding demand.
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