Srinagar, Aug 01 (KNO): Non-Gazetted employees of the newly established Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in Jammu and Kashmir have accused the government of failing to finalise their Recruitment Rules (RRs) despite repeated assurances over the past several years, leaving hundreds of staff members without any promotional avenues, career stagnation, and denial of legitimate service benefits.
In a formal notice addressed to the Principal of Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the employees said they would join an indefinite strike in coordination with employees of all newly established GMCs across the Union Territory. The employees said they had repeatedly brought the issue before concerned authorities, but no concrete action had been taken to resolve the matter.
"We have been serving these institutions with dedication since their inception, but even after seven years, the Recruitment Rules have not been finalised. Without these rules, there is no scope for promotions or career progression, leaving employees demoralised and uncertain about their future," the employees said.
They recalled that during a protest held in May this year, competent authorities had assured them that the Recruitment Rules would be finalised within two months. "More than two months have now passed, but there has been no tangible progress. The assurances have remained confined to words, forcing us to resume our agitation," they said.
According to the employees, the absence of notified Recruitment Rules has created disparities among employees working in the new GMCs and deprived them of benefits that are otherwise available to staff in other government institutions. "This prolonged delay has adversely affected the service interests of Non-Gazetted employees across all newly established GMCs. We are only seeking our legitimate rights and a transparent service structure," they added.
The employees urged authorities to immediately intervene and expedite the finalisation and notification of the Recruitment Rules. They clarified that while the agitation would continue until their demands are addressed, emergency and essential healthcare services would not be disrupted in the larger public interest.
"Our protest will remain peaceful. We are fully conscious of our responsibility towards patients and therefore emergency and critical healthcare services will continue uninterrupted. However, the pen-down strike will continue until the government fulfills its commitment by notifying the Recruitment Rules," the employees said.
The protesting employees expressed hope that the government would take immediate steps to resolve the long-pending issue to prevent further disruption and ensure justice for employees serving in the newly established GMCs—(KNO)