JAMMU, Jun 27: The Jammu Kashmir Medical Employees Federation (JKMEF), Jammu Province, on Saturday raised serious concerns over the alleged arbitrary deduction of an entitlement equivalent to two-and-a-half (2½) days’ salary from the wages of Non-Gazetted health employees, urging the Health Department to issue uniform directions to prevent further discrepancies.
The issue was discussed during a meeting of the Federation held under the chairmanship of its President, S. Jaswinder Singh, where representatives deliberated on a range of service-related matters affecting health employees across the Jammu Division. The Federation stated that inconsistent interpretations by certain Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) have resulted in salary deductions, causing financial hardship and confusion among Laboratory Technicians, Multi-Task Staff (MTS), Sanitation Workers, Drivers and other allied categories.
Addressing the meeting, Jaswinder Singh emphasized that employees are entitled to the benefit under the existing Service Rules and Orders (SROs). He alleged that varying interpretations adopted by some DDOs have led to unjustified deductions and appealed to the Directorate of Health Services to issue clear and uniform guidelines to safeguard the legitimate entitlements of employees.
Apart from the salary deduction issue, the Federation also highlighted several long-pending service demands. These included the immediate convening of Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs), timely referral of anticipated vacancies to recruiting agencies, compassionate consideration for employees suffering from serious health ailments, redeployment of staff to address acute shortages of paramedical personnel, and implementation of time-bound promotions.
A delegation of the Federation later met Dr. Poonam Sethi, Director Health Services (DHS), Jammu, and submitted a detailed memorandum outlining the grievances. The delegation urged the Directorate to intervene promptly and resolve the issues in the interest of the health workforce.
According to the Federation, Dr. Poonam Sethi gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured that the concerns would be examined sympathetically. She reportedly assured the members that appropriate action would be taken for the early disposal of the issues raised.
The Federation noted that the issue of the 2½-day salary deduction has been a matter of concern for several months and follows sustained representations and protests by health employees demanding restoration of the allowance. Employee representatives had earlier warned of intensified agitation if the deductions continued without clarification from the authorities.
JKMEF has requested the Directorate to issue immediate instructions to all DDOs to stop arbitrary deductions and undertake a comprehensive departmental review to ensure that eligible employees receive their rightful entitlements without further delay.
The Federation reiterated that it remains committed to constructive dialogue with the Health Department and other concerned authorities but stressed that a timely and satisfactory resolution of the employees’ grievances is essential to maintain morale among the health workforce and ensure smooth functioning of healthcare services across the Jammu region.