Jammu, 16 May (H.S.): The peaceful demonstration by Non-Gazetted Employees at Government Medical College Kathua entered its fifth consecutive day today, yet no serious initiative has been taken by the administration or the Government to address their long pending demand for finalization of Service/Recruitment Rules.

The protesting employees stated that despite continuous peaceful demonstrations and repeated representations before the concerned authorities, no concrete action has been taken so far regarding their genuine demands. The employees reiterated that in the absence of clear Service/Recruitment Rules, issues related to promotion policy, rectification of pay anomalies, and service security continue to remain unresolved.

Due to the ongoing protest, OPD services remained closed for the fifth consecutive day.

Former Health Minister, Choudhary Lal Singh today visited the protesting employees and expressed solidarity with them. He assured the employees that he would take up the matter with the concerned Minister and Commissioner Secretary for early redressal of the issue. He stated that the demands of the Non-Gazetted employees are genuine and deserve immediate attention from the Government. He further said that prolonged delay in finalization of the Service/Recruitment Rules is adversely affecting the morale and future security of the employees working in Government Medical Colleges.

Senior social worker ID Khajuria also met the protesting employees and assured them of support and guidance in their struggle for justice.

The employees once again appealed to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir to personally intervene and ensure early resolution of the issue. They further stated that their peaceful agitation will continue until their genuine demands are addressed by the concerned authorities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar