The UT-level Joint Coordination Committee of NHM Employees of Jammu and Kashmir has said that it has received “no concrete or satisfactory response from the J&K Government and authorities concerned, within the stipulated ultimatum period” regarding their long pending demands. Therefore, the NHM employees have decided to observe a 72-hour UT-level strike from September 9.
The decision was taken during a virtual meeting of the UT-level Joint Coordination Committee held on Saturday, which was attended by core members and representatives of NHM employees from both Jammu and Kashmir divisions, including representatives of the RNTCP/NTEP Association J&K and other schemes under the National Health Mission.
The committee had earlier served a final ultimatum to the government and concerned authorities up to September 5, seeking concrete and meaningful action towards resolving the long-pending issues and genuine demands of NHM employees. However, despite the expiry of the stipulated deadline, the committee expressed disappointment over the absence of any concrete response or tangible action from the concerned authorities.
After detailed deliberations on the prevailing situation, the committee unanimously resolved that all NHM employees across Jammu and Kashmir, including NTEP employees and those working under other NHM schemes, shall observe a 72-hour UT-level strike from September 9.
The committee made it clear that the strike would be observed across the Union Territory, with all district, block and field-level NHM employees extending their collective support to the programme.
Dr Vikas Sharma, Divisional President, All JKNHMEA Jammu Division, said the decision to proceed with the 72-hour strike had not been taken in haste but had become necessary due to the continued non-resolution of the genuine and long-pending issues of NHM employees despite repeated representations, discussions and assurances.
He appealed to all NHM employees of Jammu Division to remain united, disciplined and peaceful during the strike and extend their full support to the collective decision of the UT-level Joint Coordination Committee.
Muneer Andrabi, Divisional President, All JKNHMEA Kashmir Division, said NHM employees had repeatedly demonstrated patience and faith in the process of dialogue, but the continued lack of concrete action had left them with no option but to adopt a democratic and collective course of action.
He appealed to all NHM employees across Kashmir Division to participate in the strike in a united, peaceful and disciplined manner and ensure complete solidarity with the UT-level programme.
Musadiq Rafiq Parra, UT President, NTEP J&K, said NTEP employees and those working under other NHM schemes stood firmly with the UT-level Joint Coordination Committee in support of the genuine demands of NHM employees.
He said the contribution of NHM and NTEP employees towards the public healthcare system of Jammu and Kashmir could not be overlooked and urged the government to take the matter seriously and initiate meaningful steps to resolve the long-pending issues.
The UT-level Joint Coordination Committee reiterated that the strike was being undertaken as a last resort after the failure of repeated efforts to secure a concrete resolution through dialogue and representations.
The committee further appealed to the presidents and office-bearers of all district and block NHM units, as well as all NHM employees across Jammu and Kashmir, to extend their full support, cooperation and solidarity to the 72-hour strike programme and remain united throughout the course of action.
The committee also urged all employees to maintain peace, discipline and unity during the strike and refrain from spreading or acting upon any unverified information, rumours or unofficial messages. Employees were advised to follow only official communications issued by the UT-level Joint Coordination Committee.
The committee once again expressed its willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with the government and concerned authorities for an amicable resolution of the issues in the larger interest of NHM employees and the public healthcare system of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our demands are genuine, our resolve is united, and our voice shall remain peaceful but firm.”
