Staff says they have not been paid for three months; demand immediate release of dues
Vikar Shah
Kishtwar :DD, Expressing growing frustration over what they described as “official apathy,” employees under the National Health Mission (NHM) in Jammu and Kashmir have warned of launching strong protests across the Union Territory if their pending salaries are not credited within the next 24 hours.
The employees, who have not received their wages for the past three months, said the delay has caused acute financial distress among thousands of contractual health workers serving in hospitals and primary health centres.
The fourth month has now begun without disbursement, deepening the crisis for families dependent on these earnings.
Despite their continued service in testing conditions — from pandemic containment drives to rural healthcare outreach — NHM staff said they feel “neglected and demoralized.”
Several employees said they were struggling to manage household expenses, repay loans, and sustain their families in the absence of regular pay.
Dr. Nazir, a senior NHM representative, said the prolonged delay reflected “complete insensitivity” on the part of the administration towards the healthcare workforce that has been central to the public health response in the region.
“We have been the first to respond during every crisis — whether it was the pandemic or emergencies in remote areas — yet our contributions are being ignored. This continued exploitation cannot be justified,” he said.
He added that unless the government clears all pending dues and puts in place a mechanism for timely salary disbursement, the employees would be “forced to take to the streets.”
“We have exercised patience for months, but the silence of the authorities is pushing us towards agitation,” Dr. Nazir said.
The NHM employees’ union has also urged the Health and Medical Education Department to intervene immediately and ensure regularized payment schedules. They warned that the protest would affect healthcare services across the Union Territory if the issue remains unresolved.
The National Health Mission workforce, which forms a key pillar of Jammu and Kashmir’s public health infrastructure, has repeatedly flagged the issue of irregular salaries over the past several years.
However, employees say that despite multiple assurances, the problem persists, eroding morale among staff who continue to serve in far-flung and high-pressure areas.
As the standoff intensifies, the ball now lies squarely in the government’s court to prevent an imminent disruption in healthcare delivery across the region.DD
