One-day strike observed across Govt Health Institutions in J&K

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: Responding to a call given by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Jammu & Kashmir Medical Employees Federation, a massive one-day strike was observed on Thursday across government health institutions and medical colleges throughout Jammu and Kashmir. The strike was held to protest against an order issued by the Finance wing of the Health and Medical Education Department that discontinued allowances paid to Non-Gazetted health employees for performing duties on Sundays and Gazetted Holidays under the roster system.
The protest was organized against Order No. HME-Acct/236/2022-02 (CC-150945) issued on January 20, 2026, by the Director Finance of the Health and Medical Education Department. According to the employees’ representatives, the order discontinued the long-standing provision of allowances equivalent to two and a half days’ salary granted to Non-Gazetted staff for working on Sundays and public holidays.
JAC expressed dissatisfaction over the constitution of a committee on March 11, 2026 to examine the issue of the 2½ days’ salary allowance. According to the JAC, the committee appears to be merely a delaying tactic and does not adequately represent paramedical staff, who are the most affected by the decision. The JAC alleged that the committee is largely focused on ministerial staff, which has caused serious concern and resentment among paramedical and other Non-Gazetted health employees.
Addressing a large gathering at Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar and GMC Jammu, JKMEF President Jaswinder Singh condemned the withdrawal of allowances and termed it a violation of Government Order No. 274-HME of 1991 dated March 4, 1991. He stated that for more than three decades, Non-Gazetted health employees have been legally receiving compensation for performing duties on Sundays and Gazetted Holidays, and the sudden stoppage of these payments is unjustified and demoralizing for the workforce.
Jaswinder appealed to Omar Abdullah, Sakina Ittoo, and the Administrative Secretary of the Health and Medical Education Department to intervene personally and resolve the issue. During the past few days, representatives of the JAC also met Atal Dulloo and several Members of the Legislative Assembly to highlight the seriousness of the issue. The federation has also sought an appointment with the Health Minister to present their concerns and demand urgent redressal. Chairman JKMEF and PCI member Sushil Sudan reiterated that employees across the Union Territory remain united and committed to safeguarding their legitimate rights. He urged the government to immediately withdraw the controversial order and release the pending allowances without further delay.
The Joint Action Committee warned that if the government fails to revoke the order and resolve the issue by March 23, 2026, the employees will intensify their agitation by observing a two-day complete strike across all government health institutions in Jammu & Kashmir on March 24 and 25. Among the prominent speakers who addressed the gathering were Perfulat Singh, Rakesh Bakshi, Harpal Singh, Ajay Phool, Onkar Singh, Harpreet Kour, Garu Sharma, Anoop Kholi, and Yograj.
Similar protest demonstrations were also held at Government Medical College Jammu, where Arun Sharma led the protest and urged the government to resolve the issue at the earliest.