Warn of fresh protest over unmet commitments
Srinagar, Nov 12: The Jammu and Kashmir National Health Mission Employees Association (JKNHMEAK) on Thursday sought the personal intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for the implementation of commitments made by the government during a high-level meeting on September 18, 2026, warning that employees may resume their protest if their long-pending demands are not addressed.
Addressing a press conference here, the association’s leadership expressed resentment over what it described as an inordinate delay in translating the assurances given during the meeting, chaired by Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo, into concrete decisions and official government orders.
The association said NHM employees had called off their strike in September following an appeal by the Chief Minister, who had publicly expressed his willingness to hold discussions with the employees on the condition that they first withdraw their agitation.
“We honoured the Chief Minister’s appeal and called off our strike in the hope that our concerns would be addressed through dialogue. We now expect the same commitment from the government and request the Chief Minister to personally intervene and provide an opportunity for meaningful discussions,” the association said.
Reiterating its demands, JKNHMEAK spokesperson Rouf Ahmad called for a comprehensive salary revision, formulation of a dignified job policy, implementation of equal pay for equal work, social security coverage, retirement benefits and resolution of other long-pending service-related issues.
The association said the demands were not limited to routine financial adjustments but required comprehensive policy-level decisions to ensure job security, financial stability and dignity for thousands of employees working under the National Health Mission across Jammu and Kashmir.
It also clarified that the recently sanctioned five per cent annual increment for eligible contractual NHM employees under the annual budgetary provisions could not be treated as fulfilment of the commitments made by the government.
According to the association, employees were expecting a comprehensive package addressing their service conditions and long-standing financial concerns rather than routine annual increments.
“NHM employees have demonstrated considerable patience and restraint. However, they cannot be expected to wait indefinitely. The commitments made on September 18 must now translate into concrete government orders instead of remaining confined to assurances,” the leadership said.
The association further warned that failure to address the issues within a reasonable timeframe could compel employees to resume their democratic agitation.
“We do not want confrontation with the government, but our legitimate demands cannot be ignored any longer. If the issues remain unresolved, the association will have no option but to return to the streets to seek justice for its members,” the leadership added.
The association also urged the Chief Minister and Health Minister Sakina Itoo to take immediate cognisance of the matter and ensure time-bound implementation of the commitments made during the September 18 meeting.
Emphasising the contribution of NHM employees to the healthcare delivery system, the association said its workforce had played a significant role in extending health services across urban as well as remote and underserved areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
It maintained that employees who have continued to serve the public under contractual arrangements deserve a clear service policy, financial security and appropriate recognition of their contribution.
The association reiterated that NHM employees had already demonstrated their willingness to resolve the matter through dialogue and expected the government to honour its commitments before the situation escalated into another round of protests—(KNO)
