Govt. needs to ensure timely disbursement of health workers’ salaries

The report of employees working in the directorate of family welfare under the health department not getting their salaries on time is unfortunate. The affected employees include MTS, peons, nurses and doctors. It is reported that the problem started in 2019 July with the introduction of the PFMS mode of payment. This is really unfortunate and needs to be addressed at the earliest. During the Covid-19 pandemic period, health workers have made supreme sacrifices for the sake of humanity. Many have even lost lives. Instead of rewarding them, it is unfortunate to know that they are being deprived of their hard-earned salary.

They were not paid regularly even during the Covid period but still continued to serve the people of the state without making any fuss. The bureaucrats sitting in the air-conditioned room of the civil secretariat who put unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles thereby delaying the release of salaries of these employees should be ashamed of themselves. Healthcare workers like nurses are the backbone of the health department. They play a crucial role especially, in the rural areas to provide health service to the poor and downtrodden. They have families to look after. Many of them live in rented accommodation. Denying their salary on time is a big crime. The state government should immediately look into the matter and work out a solution. The employees have warned that if their demands are not met, they will be left with no option but to opt for a ‘no pay no work’ strike. Such a move will immensely affect the health care system. Therefore, the state government needs to act fast.