Srinagar, Sept (KNS) : JK People’s Party Supremo Sheeban Ashai has strongly condemned the alleged apathy and callous indifference of the Omar Abdullah-led NC-F government towards the genuine and long-pending demands of National Health Mission (NHM) employees and veterinary doctor interns, who have been forced onto the streets in protest over their meagre remuneration, stipends and lack of essential service benefits.

Ashai questioned the government’s continued inaction and asked: “Do veterinary interns too have to hold hunger strikes before the Omar Abdullah government pays attention to their genuine and long-pending demands?”

He said the repeated protests by NHM employees and veterinary interns are a direct indictment of the government’s insensitivity and lack of political will to address the grievances of those serving the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the frontlines.

NHM employees constitute one of the largest pools of the healthcare workforce in Jammu and Kashmir, numbering in thousands across districts. Despite repeatedly raising legitimate and long-pending demands, they continue to face uncertainty regarding their future and service conditions.

Their key demands include:

Time-bound regularisation and long-term job security for eligible contractual employees;
Equal pay for equal work;
Immediate pay revision and extension of 7th Pay Commission benefits;
Social security measures, including EPF coverage and retirement benefits; and
Enhanced financial assistance, including Rs 30 lakh to the family of an employee who dies in service.

Ashai said these are basic and legitimate demands concerning the dignity, security and livelihood of thousands of employees who have continued to serve the public health system despite contractual uncertainty and inadequate benefits.

He also drew attention to the ongoing agitation by veterinary doctor interns of SKUAST-Kashmir and SKUAST-Jammu, who are protesting against their extremely low monthly internship stipend.

At present, veterinary interns receive a stipend of merely Rs 6,000 per month, with only limited additional support during the later months. Their demand for a substantial increase is fully justified, particularly when the concerned university had recommended a revision years ago, while the matter has reportedly remained pending with the Finance Department since 2023.

Ashai pointed out that veterinary interns in other institutions across the country receive stipends ranging from approximately Rs 14,000 to Rs 23,500, while medical interns in several states are paid considerably higher amounts.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelIn contrast, veterinary interns in Jammu and Kashmir continue to receive a stipend that does not adequately meet even basic living expenses.

“These young veterinary professionals undertake clinical training, field duties and emergency work under demanding conditions. Yet they continue to be paid a stipend that is grossly inadequate in comparison with their responsibilities and with stipends being provided elsewhere in the country,” Ashai said.

He emphasised that NHM employees and young veterinary interns form an indispensable backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s public healthcare and animal husbandry systems and deserve recognition, dignity and fair compensation.

“Their demands are neither unreasonable nor new. They are a basic question of dignity, equity and justice,” Ashai said.

He criticised the Omar Abdullah government for allegedly choosing delay, empty assurances and administrative indifference instead of addressing these grievances with the urgency they deserve.

“It is deeply saddening that while the entire Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing strikes and protests over genuine public and employee grievances, Omar Abdullah is seen enjoying film festivals with family and friends,” Ashai said, describing it as yet another example of what he termed the failure of the National Conference-Farooq faction’s dispensation to prioritise the welfare of those who serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the frontlines.

Ashai said the repeated agitation by NHM staff and veterinary interns reflects the growing frustration among sections of the workforce and should serve as a wake-up call for the government.

The JK People’s Party stands firmly with the striking NHM employees and veterinary doctor interns in their just struggle and demands that the government immediately initiate meaningful dialogue with them.

He urged the government to concede their genuine demands for enhanced stipends, regularisation, equal pay and related service and social-security benefits, and ensure that hardworking sections of society are not compelled to resort to prolonged protests, strikes or hunger strikes merely to secure what is rightfully due to them.

“The people of Jammu and Kashmir expect a government that listens and acts, not one that forces its own workforce onto the streets. The Omar Abdullah government must wake up to its responsibilities before the situation deteriorates further and public services suffer irreversible damage,” Ashai said.(KNS)