SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad Oct 20: The indefinite strike of National Health Mission (NHM) contractual employees of the state headquarters (Ranchi) against the dismissal of the State Programme Manager (SPM) escalated across Jharkhand on Wednesday.
District Programme Managers (DPMs) and Block Programme Managers (BPMs) of all 24 districts of the state on Wednesday admitted to have joined the agitation of the state contractual NHM officers and staff in their solidarity and have boycotted their duty from today.
In protest against the dismissal of State Programme Manager Jwala Prasad, Ranchi based 180 NHM officers and staff have been on an indefinite strike since October 11.
The Jharkhand Health Employees Welfare Association (JHEWA), after its executive meeting in Ranchi on Tuesday evening, had called upon the DPM, BPM and other contractual employees to join the indefinite strike in protest against the termination of the SPM’s contract by the NHM’s Managing Director.
“We have started boycotting our duties and will continue it till the NHM management withdraws the contract termination order of Jwala Prasad and implement the 7- point demands of employees’ body,” said a DPM of Santhal Pargana Division district over the telephone on Wednesday.
JHEWA General Secretary Sanjay Kumar said that the NHM contractual officers and staff had put their life at stake in controlling the Corona pandemic but rather than appreciating their dedication, the NHM management has begun punishing them for no reason.
“It is a matter of concern as these contractual employees are the backbone of the health department as it lacks regular staff. Despite this, the state government, as well as the Health Minister, has not taken cognizance of it,” he said to the media.
