*Patients suffer as OPD services remain shut
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 1: Government hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir witnessed significant disruptions today as non-gazetted health and medical college employees commenced a massive 72-hour token strike. The agitation, spearheaded by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Health and Medical College Employees, was launched in response to the Government’s discontinuation of crucial duty allowances.
The core of the resentment stems from an order issued by the Director of Finance, Health and Medical Education Department, on January 20, 2026. The directive effectively withdrew an allowance equivalent to two and a half days’ salary for employees performing roster duties on Sundays and public holidays-a benefit that protest leaders claim has been in place since 1991.
At Government Medical College Jammu, the protesting employees expressed deep anguish over the decision, stating that the benefit had been granted to them for more than four decades in recognition of their services under the ambit of the Essential Services Maintenance Act, which mandates their availability even during Sundays, holidays, and emergency situations.
Addressing the gathering, Jaswinder Singh, president of the Jammu Kashmir Medical Employees Federation (JKMEF), expressed deep frustration over the inaction of a special committee constituted on March 11 to resolve the issue, stating that it has failed to produce any concrete outcomes or engage meaningfully with JAC representatives.
Sushil Sudan, chairman of JKMEF, alongside members of the Paramedical Council of India (PCI), highlighted the Government’s delayed response over the past three months.
Arun Sharma (president, GMC Jammu) strongly condemned the allowance withdrawal, terming it a clear violation of previous government mandates.
Coordinated protests were held across numerous institutions today, led by union representatives in GMC Kathua, GMC Rajouri, GMC Udhampur, GMC Doda, SMGS Hospital Jammu, IG Dental College, and district hospitals in Poonch, Samba, and Reasi.
As part of the agitation, OPD services and elective surgeries were suspended from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, while emergency services continued to function to ensure that critical patient care was not affected.
The post Health employees across J&K begin 72-hr strike over discontinuation of salary allowances appeared first on Daily Excelsior.