SUMIT SHARMA
Jammu: After six days of continuous protests and strikes across Jammu province, health employees on Monday announced suspension of their agitation for a period of three weeks following assurances from the government regarding restoration of deducted salaries and pending allowances.
Earlier in the day, more then hundred employees of the Associated Hospitals of Government Medical College Jammu staged a protest within the premises of the hospital against the deduction of two-and-a-half days’ salary.
Employees from multiple categories, including technicians, drivers, and support staff, raised slogans demanding justice and immediate release of their dues, alleging they had worked even on Sundays and holidays.
Later, at a press conference held at N.S. Pathania Hall, Susheel Sodan, Chairman of the Medical Employees Joint Action Committee, and Jaswinder Singh stated that the Health Minister had assured resolution of the issue within three weeks. They termed the salary deduction as a mistake and said a formal order to rectify it would be issued soon. Following this, the strike was officially suspended.
Protests were also reported from multiple sectors across Jammu. In Akhnoor, paramedical staff staged demonstrations demanding restoration of the 2.5-day salary, with OPD services remaining closed while emergency services continued. Similar protests were observed in Bishnah, where around fifty employees participated, and the strike concluded peacefully under the supervision of local health officials.
In Jammu city, nursing staff and sanitation workers at SMGS Hospital also observed the sixth day of their strike, with participation of around eighty persons. Led by Hardeep Kaur, the employees welcomed the intervention of Health Minister Sakina Itoo, who assured that April salaries would be credited, incentives restored, and previous deductions released as arrears.
Across the region, OPD services remained largely affected due to the strike, causing inconvenience to patients, though emergency services continued to function.
Leaders of the Joint Action Committee expressed gratitude to the government, MLAs, and media for supporting their cause and voiced hope for an early resolution. They also apologized to the public for the inconvenience caused during the agitation.
