Srinagar, Sep 05 (KNO): The UT Level Joint Coordination Committee of NHM Employees of Jammu & Kashmir on Saturday said that the forum has decided to observe a 72-hour strike from September 9 onwards in support of their long-pending demands.
A spokesman of the committee, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the decision was taken after no concrete or satisfactory response was received from the Govt of Jammu & Kashmir within the stipulated ultimatum period.
“The decision was taken during a virtual meeting of the UT Level Joint Coordination Committee held this evening which was attended by core members and representatives of NHM employees from both the Jammu and Kashmir Divisions, including representatives of the RNTCP/NTEP Association J&K and other schemes under the National Health Mission,” he said.
“The Committee had earlier served a final ultimatum to the Govt and concerned authorities up to September 05, 2026, seeking concrete and meaningful action towards resolving the long-pending issues and genuine demands of NHM employees. However, despite the expiry of the stipulated deadline, the Committee expressed deep disappointment over the absence of any concrete response or tangible action from the concerned authorities,” the spokesman said.
“After detailed deliberations on the prevailing situation, the Committee unanimously resolved that all NHM employees across Jammu & Kashmir, including NTEP employees and employees working under other NHM schemes, shall observe a 72-hour UT-level strike from September 9, onwards,” he added.
“The Committee made it clear that the strike shall be observed across the length and breadth of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, with all district, block and field-level NHM employees extending their collective support to the programme,” the spokesman said.
Dr. Vikas Sharma, Divisional President, All JKNHMEA Jammu Division, stated that the decision to proceed with the 72-hour strike has not been taken in haste, but has become necessary due to the continued non-resolution of the genuine and long-pending issues of NHM employees despite repeated representations, discussions and assurances.
He appealed to all NHM employees of Jammu Division to remain united, disciplined and peaceful during the strike and to extend their full support to the collective decision of the UT Level Joint Coordination Committee.
Muneer Andrabi, Divisional President, All JKNHMEA Kashmir Division, said that NHM employees have repeatedly demonstrated patience and faith in the process of dialogue, but the continued lack of concrete action has left them with no option but to adopt a democratic and collective course of action.
He appealed to all NHM employees across Kashmir Division to participate in the strike in a united, peaceful and disciplined manner and to ensure complete solidarity with the UT-level programme.
Musadiq Rafiq Parra, UT President, NTEP J&K, said that NTEP employees and employees working under other NHM schemes stand firmly with the UT Level Joint Coordination Committee in support of the genuine demands of NHM employees.
He stated that the contribution of NHM and NTEP employees towards the public healthcare system of Jammu & Kashmir cannot be overlooked and urged the Govt to take the matter seriously and initiate meaningful steps for resolution of the long-pending issues.
The UT Level Joint Coordination Committee reiterated that the strike is being undertaken as a last resort after the failure of repeated efforts to secure a concrete resolution through dialogue and representations.
The Committee further appealed to the Presidents and office-bearers of all District and Block NHM units, as well as all NHM employees across Jammu & Kashmir, to extend their full support, cooperation and solidarity to the 72-hour strike programme and to remain united throughout the course of action.
The Committee also urged all employees to maintain peace, discipline and unity during the strike and to refrain from spreading or acting upon any unverified information, rumours or unofficial messages. Employees have been advised to follow only the official communications issued by the UT Level Joint Coordination Committee.
The Committee once again expressed its willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Govt and concerned authorities for an amicable resolution of the issues in the larger interest of NHM employees and the public healthcare system of Jammu & Kashmir—(KNO)