Govt Reviewing Pending Salaries of COVID-19 Contract Staff, says Health Minister | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday said the issue of pending salaries of disengaged paramedical and allied staff engaged during the COVID-19 pandemic is currently under active consideration of the government.

Responding to a question raised by MLA Narinder Singh Raina in the Legislative Assembly, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo referred to a recent Supreme Court ruling wherein directions were issued to release salaries of disengaged DRDO employees. The judgment, she said. has prompted examination of similar cases, including those of contractual healthcare workers engaged during the pandemic.

Itoo said the HME Department has thoroughly examined the case of paramedical and allied staff who were hired on a contractual basis for operationalising temporary COVID Care Hospitals in Srinagar and Jammu. While their contractual tenure officially ended on December 31, 2022, many of these workers continued to serve till April 15, 2023, owing to public health exigencies, she said.

“To ensure a factual and financial assessment, the Department sought detailed attendance and work-done reports from the Principals of Government Medical College, Srinagar and Government Medical College, Jammu,” the minister said. “Both institutions have submitted certified reports confirming that the majority of staff remained on duty during the extended period, except in cases involving admissible leave, resignation, or unauthorised absence.”

The minister outlined the steps taken by the department to expedite the process, including the collection and examination of attendance records, initiation of proposals for granting retrospective extension of contracts, and processing the case for financial concurrence and release of funds. (KNO)