JAMMU, Aug 6: The Jammu & Kashmir Medical Employees Federation (JKMEF), along with employees of Government Medical Colleges, on Thursday warned of launching a strong agitation if the Government fails to address its pending demands by August 15. The warning came during a meeting held at Government Hospital, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, attended by block and district presidents, heads of sister organisations and representatives from various Government Medical Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the gathering, JKMEF President Jaswinder Singh expressed resentment over what he described as the Government’s indifferent approach towards the genuine demands of non-gazetted employees. He said the Federation was seeking the removal of only four categories—Laboratory Staff, Drivers, Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) and Sanitary Staff—from the ministerial cadre, stating that they had been included by mistake and should be excluded in accordance with SRO-334 of 2022.
Government Medical College Jammu President Arun Sharma said that despite employees working on Sundays and gazetted holidays for the past eight months, they had not received the allowances admissible under rules. He warned that continued delay in resolving the issue would leave the Federation with no option but to intensify its protest.
JKMEF Chairman Sushil Sudan said the Federation had repeatedly raised the issue with the Health Minister and the Commissioner/Secretary, Health and Medical Education, but the matter remained unresolved. According to him, the concerned file is still pending in the office of the Commissioner/Secretary.
The Federation unanimously resolved that if its demands are not met by August 15, it would launch a major agitation, including protests that could affect the functioning of health institutions across the Union Territory. The Federation stated that the Government would be responsible for any inconvenience caused to patients if the long-pending issue remains unresolved.
The Federation also appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to personally intervene and ensure an early resolution of the employees’ demands in the larger interest of the healthcare system.
The meeting was attended by General Secretary Perfulat Singh, Laboratory Employees President Anoop Kohli, Udhampur President Dheeraj Sharma, Kathua President Neeraj Malager, Doda President Hoshiar Singh Rukwal, X-Ray Employees President Harpal Singh, FMHW President Neelam Kumari, Ophthalmic Employees President Onkar Singh, GNH President Rakesh Bakshi, JKMEF Vice President Aslam, and Publicity Secretary Milan Manhas.