Jammu, Sep 18 (KNS): Former deputy chief minister and J&K Congress Working President Tara Chand on Friday urged the government to adopt a positive and sympathetic approach towards the long-pending demands of NRHM employees, including regularisation and equal pay for equal work.

In a statement, Tara Chand said NRHM employees have made a significant contribution to the healthcare system in Jammu and Kashmir and have been discharging their duties with dedication for years, often under difficult and challenging conditions.

He said the employees have remained an important part of the public health delivery system and performed responsibilities comparable to those of regular employees.

“Their long-standing contribution and experience should be given due consideration while examining their demands,” he said, urging the government to seriously consider their concerns and other service-related rights.

Tara Chand said the prolonged agitation was also affecting the functioning of essential health services and could cause inconvenience to patients and the general public.

He appealed to the government to initiate immediate dialogue with representatives of NRHM employees and work towards resolving their grievances through a constructive and mutually acceptable process.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The former deputy chief minister said the concerns of NRHM employees could not be viewed merely as an administrative issue, as their services were directly connected with healthcare delivery, particularly in areas where infrastructure and manpower remained crucial.

He urged the government to examine the demands for regularisation and equal pay for equal work within the applicable rules, policies and legal framework, while taking into account the years of experience and services rendered by the employees.

Tara Chand also appealed to the protesting employees to continue pursuing their demands peacefully while keeping the interests of patients and the general public in mind.

He expressed hope that the government would respond positively to their concerns and take concrete steps towards finding a just, practical and sustainable solution to their long-pending issues.(KNS)