Srinagar, Mar 13: The National Health Mission (NHM) employees across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday announced a strike over the non-payment of their salaries for the third consecutive month, saying the delay has caused severe financial distress to them.
The UT Level Joint Coordination Committee of Jammu & Kashmir National Health Mission Employees Association (JKNHMEA) has issued a strong warning to the government over the continued delay in the release of pending salaries.
The association announced that if the salaries are not released immediately, they will leave with no option but to hold a massive protest.
The Committee said non-payment of salaries for months has pushed employees and their families into severe financial distress, particularly during Ramadan, when Eid-ul-Fitr is approaching.
Divisional President Kashmir, Muneer Andrabi, said the employees have always served the health sector with dedication, yet they are being deprived of their rightful salaries.
“Eid is approaching, but employees are without salaries. If the government fails to release the pending wages immediately, we will be compelled to intensify their protest,” he said.
Divisional President Jammu, Dr. Vikas Sharma, said the patience of the employees has reached its limit. “Despite repeated assurances from the authorities, salaries remain unpaid. The government must take urgent steps to release the dues and prevent the situation from escalating,” he said.
“It is extremely unfortunate that employees who form the backbone of healthcare services are facing such uncertainty. Many workers are struggling to meet their household expenses during this sacred month of Ramadan,” he said.
He expressed concern and NHM employees have stood at the forefront in delivering healthcare services across the Union Territory. However, the delay in salary payments is unacceptable and deeply demoralizing for the workers.
Chief Spokesperson Kashmir Division, Abdul Rauoof said salary is not charity. “It is our legitimate and constitutional right,” he said.
“Employees can’t celebrate Eid without salaries. If authorities fail to act now, the agitation will intensify and the responsibility for any disruption in health services will lie entirely with the concerned authorities,” he told Rising Kashmir.
He said if the government fails to clear the pending salaries immediately, NHM employees will stage a massive protest at Sher-i-Kashmir Park Srinagar on Monday, March 16, 2026.
Rauoof further appealed all NHM employees across Kashmir division to assemble in large numbers on Monday and participate in the peaceful protest demonstration to raise their voice for their basic and rightful demand of timely salary.
The Joint Coordination Committee of JKNHMEA reiterated that employees still hope the government will take immediate action and release the pending salaries so that employees can observe Eid-ul-Fitr with dignity and peace.
