Strike at five new GMCs enters fifth day. Hundreds of elective surgeries, OPD services affected

Ziraat Times

21 August 2026

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By: Jahangir Ganaie

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 21: The indefinite strike by non-gazetted employees of five new Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in Jammu and Kashmir entered its fifth day on Friday, affecting routine healthcare services, including outpatient departments and elective surgeries.

Employees of GMCs Anantnag, Baramulla, Doda, Kathua and Rajouri are protesting against the prolonged delay in framing and notifying Service Recruitment Rules (SRRs), which they say are essential for regulating recruitment, promotions, seniority and other service-related matters.

The five GMCs were established in 2019, but employees in non-gazetted categories have continued to await a formal service framework governing their career progression and other conditions of service.

More than 3,300 employees, including nursing, paramedical, clerical and multitasking staff, are understood to be affected by the issue. The employees have repeatedly approached the authorities seeking resolution, but maintain that the matter has remained pending for years.

The agitation initially began at three new GMCs earlier this week before spreading to GMC Anantnag and GMC Baramulla, bringing employees of all five institutions under the indefinite protest.

Hospital services affected

With a considerable number of non-gazetted employees remaining on strike, routine functioning at the hospitals has been affected. OPD services have witnessed disruptions, while hundreds of elective and routine surgeries have reportedly been delayed.

Emergency and essential procedures, however, continue to be undertaken to ensure that patients requiring immediate medical attention are not affected.

The protesting employees said their agitation was not intended to inconvenience patients, but was a result of what they described as prolonged administrative inaction on their service-related concerns.

They said the absence of notified service rules had created uncertainty over promotions and other career benefits, particularly for employees who had completed several years of service.

Promotions, seniority among key concerns

A major grievance of the employees is the absence of regular promotional avenues and the non-constitution of Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs).

They contend that in the absence of notified rules and DPCs, several eligible employees have been unable to move to higher posts despite completing the required period of service.

Concerns have also been raised over seniority, pay fixation and other benefits linked to career progression.

The employees said their concerns had assumed greater significance as the five new GMCs had substantially expanded their healthcare infrastructure and services since their establishment.

With new departments, wards, laboratories and other facilities becoming operational, the workload and responsibilities of employees have increased, they said, arguing that the service structure of a large section of the workforce remains unresolved despite the expansion of the institutions.

Minister assures rules by September-end

Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo on Friday acknowledged the employees’ demand as genuine and said the recruitment rules should have been framed by now.

She assured that the Service Recruitment Rules for non-gazetted employees of the five new GMCs would be framed by the end of September.

The assurance has opened a possible window for resolving the standoff. However, the employees are expected to deliberate on the government’s assurance before deciding whether to suspend, continue or modify their agitation.

Vishav Sharma, State President of the AIRNF J&K UT Committee, said a meeting of the employees would be held on Friday evening to discuss the assurance and decide the future course of action.

“We are holding a meeting this evening and will discuss the assurance given by the Health Minister. The future course of action will be decided after the meeting,” Sharma said.

The employees have sought a time-bound mechanism for framing and notifying the rules, followed by constitution of DPCs so that pending promotion cases can be taken up without further delay.

They have maintained that they are not seeking any special concession, but a transparent and clearly defined service structure similar to that available to employees of established Government Medical Colleges.

—KNO

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Strike at five new GMCs enters fifth day. Hundreds of elective surgeries, OPD services affected

Follow Ziraat Times on Whatsapp - Join Now

By: Jahangir Ganaie

SRINAGAR, AUGUST 21: The indefinite strike by non-gazetted employees of five new Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in Jammu and Kashmir entered its fifth day on Friday, affecting routine healthcare services, including outpatient departments and elective surgeries.

Employees of GMCs Anantnag, Baramulla, Doda, Kathua and Rajouri are protesting against the prolonged delay in framing and notifying Service Recruitment Rules (SRRs), which they say are essential for regulating recruitment, promotions, seniority and other service-related matters.

The five GMCs were established in 2019, but employees in non-gazetted categories have continued to await a formal service framework governing their career progression and other conditions of service.

More than 3,300 employees, including nursing, paramedical, clerical and multitasking staff, are understood to be affected by the issue. The employees have repeatedly approached the authorities seeking resolution, but maintain that the matter has remained pending for years.

The agitation initially began at three new GMCs earlier this week before spreading to GMC Anantnag and GMC Baramulla, bringing employees of all five institutions under the indefinite protest.

Hospital services affected

With a considerable number of non-gazetted employees remaining on strike, routine functioning at the hospitals has been affected. OPD services have witnessed disruptions, while hundreds of elective and routine surgeries have reportedly been delayed.

Emergency and essential procedures, however, continue to be undertaken to ensure that patients requiring immediate medical attention are not affected.

The protesting employees said their agitation was not intended to inconvenience patients, but was a result of what they described as prolonged administrative inaction on their service-related concerns.

They said the absence of notified service rules had created uncertainty over promotions and other career benefits, particularly for employees who had completed several years of service.

Promotions, seniority among key concerns

A major grievance of the employees is the absence of regular promotional avenues and the non-constitution of Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs).

They contend that in the absence of notified rules and DPCs, several eligible employees have been unable to move to higher posts despite completing the required period of service.

Concerns have also been raised over seniority, pay fixation and other benefits linked to career progression.

The employees said their concerns had assumed greater significance as the five new GMCs had substantially expanded their healthcare infrastructure and services since their establishment.

With new departments, wards, laboratories and other facilities becoming operational, the workload and responsibilities of employees have increased, they said, arguing that the service structure of a large section of the workforce remains unresolved despite the expansion of the institutions.

Minister assures rules by September-end

Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo on Friday acknowledged the employees’ demand as genuine and said the recruitment rules should have been framed by now.

She assured that the Service Recruitment Rules for non-gazetted employees of the five new GMCs would be framed by the end of September.

The assurance has opened a possible window for resolving the standoff. However, the employees are expected to deliberate on the government’s assurance before deciding whether to suspend, continue or modify their agitation.

Vishav Sharma, State President of the AIRNF J&K UT Committee, said a meeting of the employees would be held on Friday evening to discuss the assurance and decide the future course of action.

“We are holding a meeting this evening and will discuss the assurance given by the Health Minister. The future course of action will be decided after the meeting,” Sharma said.

The employees have sought a time-bound mechanism for framing and notifying the rules, followed by constitution of DPCs so that pending promotion cases can be taken up without further delay.

They have maintained that they are not seeking any special concession, but a transparent and clearly defined service structure similar to that available to employees of established Government Medical Colleges.

—KNO

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