Srinagar, Sep 4: Around 1,000 doctors, paramedics and other employees of the Ayush Department in nine districts of Jammu and Kashmir have been awaiting their salaries for nearly two months, with the delay reportedly stemming from an administrative bottleneck following the creation of new district-level posts.
The affected employees are posted in Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kulgam, Shopian, Samba, Reasi, Ramban, Kishtwar and Pulwama.
The prolonged delay has caused financial difficulties for employees and their families, with some saying they are struggling to meet routine household expenses and pay their children’s school fees.
“I am unable to pay the school fees of my children. I appeal to the authorities to solve the issue,” said a paramedic working in one of the affected districts.
The Health and Medical Education Department, through Government Order No. 530-JK (HME) of 2026 dated July 6, sanctioned nine posts of District Ayush Officers (DAOs), one for each of the nine districts.
However, the formal posting of the DAOs is yet to take place, according to employees, resulting in an administrative gap in the drawing and disbursement of salaries.
Employees said the absence of functional Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) has stalled the processing of their salaries, leaving doctors, paramedics and other staff without their monthly pay.
They have urged the administration to make an interim arrangement by authorising the respective Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of the nine districts to exercise DDO powers and facilitate the release of the pending salaries.
The employees have also sought immediate posting of regular District Ayush Officers to restore the normal administrative mechanism.
The affected staff said they had continued to perform their duties despite the delay in receiving their salaries.
Director Ayush J&K Ajay Kumar Tickoo told Greater Kashmir that the matter was under consideration and would be resolved soon.
The employees have urged the government and the Health and Medical Education Department to intervene and ensure the release of their pending salaries without further delay.
They said an interim DDO arrangement could provide immediate relief while the process of posting regular DAOs is completed.
