GMC Baramulla employees’ strike enters 3rd day, warn of complete clinical boycott

Baramulla, May 13: The indefinite strike by non-gazetted employees of Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla entered its third consecutive day on Wednesday, with employees intensifying their demand for immediate framing of recruitment rules and resolution of long-pending promotion issues.

The protesting employees said that despite years passing since the establishment of the new GMCs in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has failed to finalise recruitment rules, leaving hundreds of employees without career progression, promotions and revised pay benefits.

They said the absence of recruitment rules has severely affected the functioning of GMC Baramulla, as nearly 50 percent of posts remain vacant out of the total 541 sanctioned posts. “These posts were originally sanctioned for 100 MBBS seats and a 300-bedded associated hospital. However, MBBS intake has now increased to 150 seats, while around 200 additional beds have also been added over the years,” the employees said. They added that patient inflow has increased significantly as GMC Baramulla is now functioning as a tertiary healthcare institution, while several new departments and units have also been established in recent years, further increasing workload on the existing staff. The employees stated that despite the ongoing strike, they are continuing to manage essential clinical services to ensure that patients do not suffer. The employees further said that despite the strike entering its third day, “ironically nothing concrete has come from the administration or the Health Minister regarding our genuine demands.” They said they have repeatedly approached the authorities through official channels over the past several years, but no concrete action has been taken so far. The protesting employees urged the government to immediately frame recruitment rules on the pattern of GMC Srinagar and GMC Jammu, fill vacant posts and address staff shortages to ensure smooth functioning of healthcare and academic services at GMC Baramulla and other newly established medical colleges.