Kolkata, 26 July (H.S.) – A wave of discontent is rising among thousands of Community Health Officers (CHOs) in West Bengal over alleged wage disparities and contract-based appointments under the National Health Mission (NHM). The officers, posted at various 'Suswasthya Kendras' across the state, are voicing strong concerns over what they describe as unfair treatment by the state government.
According to official data, a total of 11,053 CHOs are currently working in West Bengal, out of which around 3,550 – nearly 32 percent – are on a contractual basis. A senior representative from the All India Association of Community Health Officers (AICHO) has criticized this practice, stating it contradicts the fundamental principles of the NHM, which aims to strengthen primary healthcare delivery through stable and adequately supported workforce.
Contractual officers reportedly do not receive basic social security benefits such as Provident Fund, Gratuity, or medical insurance, raising concerns about long-term job security and welfare.
As per NHM guidelines, each contractual CHO should receive a minimum consolidated monthly salary of ₹27,500 and an incentive of ₹15,000, with the liberty granted to individual states to offer higher pay. However, the West Bengal government is allegedly offering only ₹19,870 as base salary and ₹5,000 as incentive, totaling ₹24,870 per month—significantly below the mandated minimum.
AICHO representatives further pointed out that in neighbouring Odisha, CHOs on contract are receiving a monthly package of ₹55,000, sparking frustration and anger among their counterparts in Bengal. “Even the central government’s minimum standard is not being followed here. This is blatant injustice,” an AICHO official stated.
The association has demanded immediate rectification of this disparity and urged the state to align its remuneration policy with central norms. The CHOs have also warned of a possible statewide agitation if their concerns are not addressed urgently.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
