Health Minister Urges Employees to Resume Duties; Says Pay Revision Proposal Already Sent to Centre
Srinagar, September 12: Health Minister Sakina Itoo on Saturday appealed to protesting National Health Mission (NHM) employees to call off their ongoing strike and resume duties, warning that continued disruption of healthcare services could eventually leave the government with no option but to take action.
Addressing reporters, Itoo said the Jammu and Kashmir Government was conscious of the long-standing concerns raised by NHM employees and was making efforts to resolve matters that fall within the administration’s jurisdiction. However, she pointed out that several key demands require intervention, approval or financial support from the Government of India.
“If we go to protest like this, I don’t think it will be right. Sometimes, the government is forced to take a step that we do not want to take,” she said.
‘NHM Workers Are Essential Part of Healthcare System’
The Health Minister described NHM employees as an important component of the healthcare delivery system and said their prolonged absence from hospitals and health institutions was adversely affecting patient care.
“They are our own people. They are our own children. They are our own brothers and sisters,” Itoo said while making an appeal to the protesting workforce to return to their duties.
She maintained that the government was willing to address the issues that could be resolved at the UT level, while matters beyond its authority would continue to be pursued with the Centre.
Pay Revision Proposal Already Sent to Centre
Itoo said the J&K Government had already forwarded a proposal concerning the demands of NHM employees to the Government of India, particularly on issues that fall outside the administrative and financial powers of the Union Territory administration.
“For what is not in our hands, we have already sent your proposal to the Government of India,” she said.
The minister further said she had personally raised the issue of the low remuneration of NHM employees with the Union Health Minister during her recent visit to New Delhi.
“I told him that their pay is very low. It is very expensive these days. He has accepted it,” she said, adding that the J&K Government would send another reminder to the Centre seeking early intervention.
Leave Salary, Pension Demands Also Being Examined
Itoo said several other demands raised by NHM employees, including issues related to leave salary and pension benefits, were also under examination.
She said the administration would extend all possible support in matters falling within its jurisdiction, while demands requiring central approval or funding would be taken up with the Government of India.
Itoo Questions BJP Over NHM Issues
The Health Minister also questioned the role of the BJP-led Union Government in addressing the grievances of NHM employees since 2019.
“What has the BJP done for the workers since 2019? I want to ask them,” she said.
Itoo maintained that issues linked to central funding and policy decisions could not be resolved entirely by the J&K Government and required appropriate intervention from the Union Government.
‘Go to Delhi and Give Us Back Statehood’
During her interaction with reporters, Itoo also took a dig at the BJP over the issue of restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Go to Delhi and give us a state,” she said.
“You have destroyed Jammu and Kashmir. Nothing is on track today. Then you will ask us,” she added.
Government Urges End to Agitation
Itoo once again appealed to NHM employees to end their strike and return to work, saying the government was considering their demands but the prolonged protest was simultaneously creating difficulties for patients dependent on public healthcare facilities.
NHM employees have been raising a number of long-pending demands, including pay revision, removal of pay disparities, regularisation-related measures, pension and social security benefits.
The minister’s remarks come amid continued protests by NHM workers across Jammu and Kashmir, with employees pressing the administration and the Centre for a time-bound resolution of their demands.(KNC)
