Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Oct 25:-
NHM Employees Association today staged a protest in support of their demands at Exhibition Ground, Near Press Club, Jammu as employees were demanding to accept their demands Which are justified as a reminder to State Government of the pending primary demand of Regularization and continuous neglect of Government towards genuine demands of NHM Employees. NHM Employees have been agitating since many years for the rightful and genuine demand of regularization. In March 2017 there was a 15 days strike after which a committee of 4 officers was formed vide order no. 151-HME of 2017, dated: 15/03/2017 to look into the demands of NHM Employees which had to submit its report within 2 months. But instead of working towards resolution of demands the said Committee played a very negative role through dilly dallying tactics and did nothing for almost 9 months. On 20th December, 2017 again a state wise strike of NHM Employees began which continued till 22nd January 2018 and was suspended only after personal assurance and acceptance of all demands of NHM Employees by then Health Minister Sh Bali Bhagat along with then Principal Secretary Health & Medical Education, Dr. Pawan Kotwal in meeting with the representatives of All JK NHM Employees Association at Civil Secretariat, Jammu. The same assurance was given by then Health Minister on the floor of State Legislative Assembly and conveyed via electronic and print media as well. After which a high level Group of Officers Committee was formed vide order no. 174 of GAD, dated: 29/01/2018 with a clear mandate for looking into demand of regularization and other demands of NHM Employees. This high level group of Officers had to meet continuously from time to time with representatives of All JK NHM Employees Association for working towards resolution of issues. The other agreed immediate demands which also included immediate 20% salary hike, 6 months paid maternity leave for female NHM Employees, 1 month earned leave on pattern of Orissa model etc agreed by then Health Minister and signed by then Principal Secretary Health & Medical Education, Dr. Pawan Kotwal had to be implemented immediately through proper Govt. Order but instead of this, these demands were very cleverly and in deceitful manner referred to the Group of Officers which was not required at all. The minutes of this meeting issued were mere customary and superficial and did not deliberate seriously on the issue of regularization and also did not facilitate the issuance of necessary orders of accepted demands. The decisions conveyed in the minutes of meeting were mere lip service and typical bureaucratic delaying tactics, instead of anything positive and concreted in favour of NHM Employees.
