IIOJK medical college employees to launch indefinite strike from Aug 18
Srinagar : Over 3,000 non-gazetted employees of five newly established Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir will begin an indefinite strike and sit-in protest from August 18 against the prolonged failure to address their demands.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the main protest will be held in Baramulla, Islamabad, Rajouri, Doda and Kathua districts. An intimation in this regard has been submitted to the administration by the employees.
The employees said they were selected through the Services Selection Board during 2019-20 and subsequently appointed by the competent authorities of the respective medical colleges. However, the prolonged delay in framing service rules has left them without a clearly defined statutory career structure and avenues for promotion, resulting in professional uncertainty and stagnation. They said the absence of a proper promotional hierarchy has also prevented senior cadres from progressing to higher levels, leading to staff shortages at different levels and increased workload on existing personnel.
The employees stated that routine OPD and IPD services, including regular ward activities, may be affected during the agitation. However, they added that emergency services and emergency patient care will continue, and they will cooperate in maintaining peace and discipline during the protest. The continuity of routine services, they said, would be managed by the respective hospital administrations.
