JAMMU: Following the completion of their earlier 72-hour peaceful strike-cum-protest, National Health Mission (NHM) employees of Jammu Division have extended their agitation for another 72 hours with effect from Saturday, September 12, 2026, demanding concrete action on their long-pending service and welfare-related issues.
The decision was taken under the banner of the UT Level Coordination Committee of the National Health Mission Employees Association J&K in view of what the employees described as the absence of any positive response, concrete assurance or meaningful intervention from the Government and concerned authorities towards addressing their demands.
Protests continued at various district and block headquarters across Jammu Division, with doctors, paramedical staff, management personnel and employees associated with NTEP and other NHM programmes participating in the agitation. The employees said that despite rendering dedicated services to the public healthcare system for years, their concerns relating to job security, social security and other service-related matters remain unresolved.
The agitation is being led in Jammu Division by Provincial President, All JKNHMEA, Dr Vikas Sharma, with employees from different districts and blocks extending their support to the ongoing peaceful protest.
The major demands include a comprehensive job policy, job security, golden handshake, retirement and social security benefits, EPF coverage for all eligible categories, loyalty benefits for left-out NHM employees and resolution of other genuine service-related issues.
The Association said the decision to extend the strike was not taken lightly, as employees had observed the earlier 72-hour agitation in the expectation that the Government would respond positively and initiate meaningful dialogue. However, in the absence of a concrete resolution or satisfactory assurance, they said they were compelled to continue the democratic agitation.
Chief Spokesperson, All JKNHMEA Jammu Division, Dr Hamid Parray, said the extension reflected the determination of NHM employees to pursue their demands through peaceful and democratic means. “We had hoped that the Government and concerned authorities would come forward with a positive and concrete response during the earlier 72 hours. Unfortunately, no satisfactory resolution has emerged so far. Therefore, the Association has decided to extend the agitation for another 72 hours from today,” he said.
Dr Parray said the employees were seeking dialogue rather than confrontation and wanted a concrete solution instead of repeated assurances. He highlighted the contribution of NHM employees in serving people, particularly in rural, remote and far-flung areas, and said their demands centred on job security, social security and a dignified future.
The Association appealed to the Government to utilise the fresh 72-hour period as an opportunity to initiate meaningful dialogue and take concrete, result-oriented steps towards resolving the longstanding issues.
The employees maintained that their demands concern their livelihood, dignity, future and social security and reiterated that the agitation was not against the healthcare system or the people, but aimed at drawing the Government’s attention to their grievances.
The All J&K National Health Mission Employees Association, Jammu Division, reiterated its readiness for meaningful dialogue and urged the Government and concerned authorities to take concrete measures during the fresh 72-hour period commencing September 12 to resolve the issues.
