Banihal, Sep 14: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of Opposition (LOP) in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, visited Ramban district on Monday and extended his support to striking National Health Mission (NHM) employees and dailywage workers, assuring them that their long-pending grievances would be raised in the Legislative Assembly.
The visit came as the indefinite strike by NHM employees entered its sixth consecutive day in the district, severely affecting healthcare services at various hospitals, primary health centres and community health units where NHM doctors, nurses and paramedical staff are deployed.
The ongoing agitation has disrupted routine healthcare services, including outpatient care and other essential medical activities, particularly in rural and remote areas dependent on NHM personnel.
Addressing the media during his visit, Sharma said the BJP had undertaken a political outreach programme to highlight the grievances of common people and workers, irrespective of their political affiliations, religious beliefs or caste.
“Common people face immense difficulties in bringing their genuine grievances to the notice of the authorities. The Bharatiya Janata Party has decided to stand as their voice,” he said.
Sharma assured the protesting NHM employees that the party would strongly pursue their demands, including regularisation of services, job security and revision of wages, and take up the issues on the floor of the Legislative Assembly. He also stated that matters falling under the purview of the Central Government would be pursued with the concerned authorities.
The striking NHM employees have been seeking regularisation, pay parity with permanent health staff, job security and the timely release of pending stipends and other dues.
The BJP leader also criticised the administration for allegedly failing to address the concerns of daily wagers and contractual employees, accusing it of overlooking the difficulties faced by workers who have been awaiting resolution of their demands for a long time.
