Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Jan 18,
Holding 4th day protest demonstration at Press Club Jammu as a reminder to State Government of the long 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 delaying 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 clearly and in deceitful manner referred to the Group of Officers Committee which was not required at all. As per mandate mentioned in the GAD order the Group of Officers had to continuously meet from time to time with the representatives of All JK NHM Employees Association for working towards development of framework for regularization process. But till date, only one customary meeting has happened, approximately after lapse of 7 months from 22 January 2018, on 2nd August 2018 when Group of Officers met and then Mission Director NHM, Dr. Mohan Singh as well as Director Finance, H & ME, Mr. Rafiq Ahmad was also called. 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 concrete in favour of NHM Employees. NHM Employees continue to face persecution and harassment at all levels post strike in December-January 2018 through various means like withholding of salaries, not allowing off on Sundays, Gazetted holidays and intimidation like spoiling APR and threats like not extending the contract and various other means of harassment. This is unacceptable and All JK NHM Employees Association unequivocally condemns such oppressive means which harass NHM Employees. All JK NHM Employees Association stands firmly behind every Employee and will not hesitate in exploring possible options, including legal as well to safeguard the future and livelihood of every NHM Employee. All JK NHM Employees Association again is reiterating the long pending demand of regularization of NHM Employees, and seeks implementation of 7th Pay Commission for NHM Employees as has been already done in case of other central sponsored scheme like SSA (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan) so that the financial plight of low paid NHM Employees can be improved to some extent.
