Expressing dismay over the non-release of salary for five consecutive months to the employees of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) by the state government, Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) requested the chief minister to intervene so that neither health care services in the state were not affected nor the employees victimized further. In a press release ACAUT media cell alleged that the department of health and family welfare (H&FW) instead of redressing the problem resorted to intimidation to dismiss the agitating employees if they resorted to strike.
“The threat and harassments meted out to its own employees by the directorate is not acceptable,” it said.
ACAUT Nagaland stated that NHRM employees, whether doctors, nurses or clerical staff, were all young people in the forefront working tirelessly in both rural and urban areas.
Maintaining that contribution of the NHRM employees to healthcare services was no less than their regular counterparts, ACAUT said “yet the step-motherly treatment meted out to NHRM employees is staggering.” On the purported excuse of H&FW directorate that central government has not released 90% of the funds due to non fulfilment of its required 10% contribution, ACAUT said it was the fault of the NRHM employees.
Asserting a contract was signed whereby the state government agreed to pay salary and numerations for services rendered by these professionals, ACAUT said state government cannot renege on this agreement. It also asked the directorate to clarify if NHRM employees posted in the directorate at Kohima were getting their salaries.