BMO refuses to answer questions on salary delays, challenges reporter’s credentials
Srinagar, June 16: Employees working under the National Health Mission (NHM) in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district have alleged that their salaries are being withheld for prolonged periods without any formal explanation, causing financial difficulties for many of them.
A number of NHM workers posted at different health institutions in the district said salary disbursement has become increasingly irregular despite their continued service in hospitals and healthcare centres.
According to the employees, payments are often delayed for months and they are not informed about the reasons behind the withholding of wages.
“We continue to perform our duties and ensure that healthcare services remain unaffected, but there is uncertainty every month regarding our salaries,” one employee said, requesting anonymity.
Some staff members claimed they were informally told that their work was not satisfactory, an assertion they rejected, maintaining that they have been carrying out their responsibilities as required.
The issue is not new. In recent months, NHM employees in Hajin had staged protests over a delay of several months in the release of their salaries. At the time, officials had cited technical issues related to the treasury system.
ASHA workers in the district have also held demonstrations in the past over pending wages, alleging delays in the processing of their payments and inadequate response to their grievances.
Employees said repeated salary delays have placed many families under financial stress and urged the authorities to put in place a mechanism to ensure timely release of wages.
When approached for comment, BMO Bandipora Dr Tahir Malik refused to answer questions related to the alleged salary delays, stating that he was not authorised to speak to the media.
He further cast doubt on the reporter’s identity as a journalist but did not respond to the specific allegations made by the NHM employees.(KNS).
