Bandipora Health employees cry foul over prolonged salary delays
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, health employees in Bandipora district have complained that their salaries are being withheld for months without any formal explanation, leaving them in financial distress despite continued service in hospitals and health centres.
According to Kashmir Media Service, National Health Mission (NHM) workers posted at various health institutions said salary disbursement has become increasingly irregular. Payments are often delayed for months and staff are not informed of the reasons.
“We continue to perform our duties and ensure healthcare services remain unaffected, but there is uncertainty every month regarding our salaries,” one employee told the media on condition of anonymity.
Some staff said they were informally told their work was unsatisfactory, a claim they rejected. The issue is not new.
NHM employees in Hajin staged protests months ago over delayed wages, with officials then citing “technical issues” in the treasury system. Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers in the district have also demonstrated over pending payments and poor response to grievances.
Employees said repeated delays have pushed many families under financial stress and urged authorities to create a mechanism for timely wage release. When approached, BMO Bandipora Dr Tahir Malik refused to comment, saying he was not authorised to speak to media and casting doubt on the reporter’s identity, but did not respond to the specific allegations.
