JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Aug 31: The UT Level Joint Coordination Committee of NHM Employees of Jammu & Kashmir has issued a final ultimatum to the Govt of Jammu & Kashmir and the concerned authorities, seeking concrete and meaningful action on the genuine and long-pending demands of NHM employees across the Union Territory.
The decision was taken during a virtual meeting of the UT Level Joint Coordination Committee held today, 30th August 2026, which was attended by representatives and heads of both the Jammu (Dr Vikas Sharma) and Kashmir Divisions (Mr Muneer Andrabi), including the President of NTEP (RNTCP) Mr Musadiq Rafiq Parra and other core members of the Joint Coordination Committee.
The Committee deliberated in detail upon the present status of the demands of NHM employees, the assurances extended by the Govt earlier, and the continued lack of tangible action towards resolving the long-pending issues.
The Committee recalled that NHM employees had observed a two-day strike in April 2026 under the banner of the UT Level Coordination Committee, following which assurances were extended by the Hon’ble Health Minister, J&K, regarding appropriate consideration of their genuine concerns. The issues were subsequently highlighted through a press conference held by the Kashmir NHM Employees Association in July 2026. However, the Committee expressed disappointment that no satisfactory or concrete outcome has emerged so far.
After detailed deliberations, the Joint Coordination Committee has unanimously decided to give a final ultimatum up to 5th September 2026 to the Govt of Jammu & Kashmir and the concerned authorities to initiate concrete action towards addressing the legitimate and long-pending demands of NHM employees.
The Committee clarified that no formal strike call has been announced as of today. The date, duration and modalities of any future UT-level strike, if required, shall be formally announced by the Joint Coordination Committee after the stipulated deadline, subject to the Government’s response.
The Committee further stated that, in the event of no concrete and satisfactory action by 5th September 2026, it may be constrained to call for a UT-level strike of NHM employees across Jammu & Kashmir as a last resort to raise their long-unheard concerns. The proposed course of action is most likely to be undertaken before the forthcoming Assembly Session, subject to the final decision of the UT Level Joint Coordination Committee.
At the same time, the Committee reiterated that its doors remain open for meaningful dialogue and negotiations with the Govt and concerned authorities. It expressed its commitment to resolving the issues through dialogue and mutual understanding in the larger interest of NHM employees and the public healthcare system of Jammu & Kashmir.
The Committee also appealed to all NHM employees across the UT to remain united, disciplined and stand together during this crucial phase and to extend their full support, cooperation and solidarity to the Joint Coordination Committee.
The Committee urged employees not to act upon unverified messages, rumours or unofficial information regarding any strike and to await official communication from the Joint Coordination Committee.
“United we stand. United we shall raise our unheard voice,” the Committee said.