Srinagar, Sep 5: The UT Level Joint Coordination Committee of NHM Employees of Jammu & Kashmir on Saturday announced a 72-hour UT-level strike from Sep 9 in support of the long-pending and genuine demands, stating that no concrete steps were taken by the government.
The decision was taken during a virtual meeting of the UT Level Joint Coordination Committee was held on Saturday and attended by core members and representatives of NHM employees from both the 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 Govt and concerned authorities up to Sep 05 seeking resolving the long-pending issues 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 & Kashmir, including NTEP employees and employees working under other NHM schemes, shall observe a 72-hour UT-level strike from Sep 9 onwards.
The Committee made it clear that the strike shall be observed across the length and breadth of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, 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, stated that the decision has become necessary due to the continued non-resolution of the genuine issues of NHM employees.
He appealed to all NHM employees of Jammu Division to remain united, disciplined and peaceful during the strike and to extend their full support to the collective decision of the UT Level Joint Coordination Committee.
Muneer Andrabi, Divisional President, All JKNHMEA Kashmir Division, said that NHM employees have repeatedly demonstrated patience and faith in the process of dialogue, but the continued lack of concrete action has left them with no option but to go for strike.
He appealed to all NHM employees across Kashmir Division to participate in the strike in a united, peaceful and disciplined manner and to ensure complete solidarity with the UT-level programme.
The UT Level Joint Coordination Committee reiterated that the strike is 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 & Kashmir, to extend their full support, cooperation and solidarity to the 72-hour strike programme and to remain united throughout the course of action.
The Committee also urged all employees to maintain peace, discipline and unity during the strike and to refrain from spreading or acting upon any unverified information, rumours or unofficial messages.
The Committee once expressed its willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Govt and concerned authorities for an amicable resolution of the issues in the larger interest of NHM employees and the public healthcare system of Jammu & Kashmir.
