JAMMU, Sep 5: An emergency meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Employees Federation (JKMEF) was held under the chairmanship of JKMEF President Jaswinder Singh to discuss the order regarding withholding or deferment of 2½ days’ pay and allowances of non-gazetted employees drawing salaries under Major Head 2211—Family Welfare.
The order, issued on September 3, 2026 by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Jammu, had directed that the payment be withheld until further clarification or orders from the competent authority. During the meeting, JKMEF members discussed the implications of the order for the affected employees, particularly Female Multi-Purpose Health Workers who play an important role in the public healthcare delivery system.
Later, a deputation of JKMEF met Dr. Narinder Butyal, Chief Medical Officer, Jammu, and apprised him of the concerns of the employees. Speaking during the interaction, Jaswinder Singh said employees working under Major Head 2211 were performing vital duties under various national health programmes, including maternal and child health services, immunisation and family welfare activities.
The JKMEF President said withholding 2½ days’ salary could adversely affect the morale of employees. He maintained that if the payment was linked to duties performed on gazetted holidays and Sundays, employees could be discouraged from rendering services on such days, potentially affecting the uninterrupted delivery of essential healthcare services to the public.
Dr. Narinder Singh Bhatial, CMO Jammu, assured the deputation that the order would be withdrawn and that a fresh order would be issued after examining the matter. The JKMEF welcomed the assurance and expressed hope that the issue would be resolved at the earliest in the interest of employees as well as public healthcare delivery.
Those present during the meeting and subsequent discussions included Parfulat Singh, General Secretary, JKMEF; Bahadur Singh, Working President; Surjeet Rajan; Sapna Gupta; Suria Akhter; Anita; Arti Devi; Rajni Bala; Ram Lal, Office Secretary, JKMEF; and Suresh Chouhan, among others.