Srinagar, Nov 07 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has sanctioned a 5 percent annual increment for eligible employees engaged under the National Health Mission (NHM) for the financial year 2026-27, providing relief to thousands of healthcare workers across the Union Territory.
According to an order issued by the Mission Director, NHM J&K, a copy of which was accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the increment will apply to eligible contractual employees working at the State, Divisional, District and Block levels, including those engaged under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) and various disease control programmes.
The order states that the sanction has been accorded in pursuance of the approval of the NHM State Programme Implementation Plan (SPIP) 2026-27 for J&K, conveyed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on June 19, 2026.
As per the notified schedule, contractual employees who completed one year of service on or before March 31, 2026, will be entitled to the increment with effect from April 1, 2026.
Employees completing one year of service between April 1 and September 30, 2026, will receive the increment with effect from October 1, 2026, while those completing one year of service after September 30, 2026, will be eligible for the benefit from April 1, 2027.
The order further directs the concerned Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) and Controlling Officers to extend the benefit only to eligible contractual employees after verifying their qualifying service and satisfactory performance, in accordance with applicable NHM guidelines.
Meanwhile, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo, in a post on X, said the government had fulfilled its commitment by sanctioning the 5 percent annual increment for NHM employees.
She said the decision is an important step towards recognising the dedication and contribution of NHM employees, who continue to play a vital role in strengthening healthcare delivery across Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our commitment to the welfare of healthcare workers remains steadfast. We will continue working towards a stronger, more responsive and inclusive healthcare system under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Jenab Omar Abdullah,” she said—(KNO)