JAMMU, Jun 8: The Joint Action Committee of Health and Medical College Employees on Sunday expressed strong resentment over the continued withholding of an allowance equivalent to two-and-a-half days’ salary for several categories of non-gazetted employees and warned of renewed agitation if the issue is not resolved promptly.
Addressing a press conference at the Press Club Jammu, representatives of the employees’ body said that the Finance Department’s order issued on January 20, 2026, resulted in the stoppage of the allowance being paid to certain categories of non-gazetted employees working in health institutions across Jammu and Kashmir.
The employees stated that the decision had triggered widespread protests and strikes in health institutions across the Union Territory. They recalled that at the time, Health Minister Sakina Itoo had assured employees that the matter would be resolved at the earliest. However, despite the passage of nearly six months, no concrete solution has been reached.
Speaking at the press conference, Sushil Sudan, Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Employees Federation (JKMEF), criticized the government for failing to address the issue despite several meetings with the Chief Secretary, Commissioner Secretary Health and the Health Minister.
He said that a committee headed by Dr. Asutosh, Principal Government Medical College, was constituted to examine the matter, but alleged that the committee failed to resolve the issue and instead complicated it further.
Arun Sharma, President GMC Jammu, warned that employees would intensify their agitation and resume token strikes if the government failed to restore the allowance.
Meanwhile, Jaswinder Singh urged the Health Minister to consider updating or replacing SRO-91 of 1982 with SRO-334 of 2022, stating that such a step could help address the grievances of employees.
Others present during the press conference included Perfulat Singh, General Secretary JKMEF; Arun Kohli, President of the Lab Technicians Association; Harpal Singh, President of the X-Ray Technicians Association; Surjeet Rajan, President Block Bishnah; Ajay Phool; Harpreet Kour, President SMGS; Bhagwan Singh, President Dental Association; and Hadyat Hussain, along with several other employee representatives.