SRINAGAR: In a communique Doctors Association of Kashmir (DAK) has expressed its dismay over the J&K govt policy where NHM employees are being deprived of fundamental right and their families are being forced to suffer.DAK President, Dr Yousuf Tak said that the legal principle of “Equal pay for equal work” is mentioned under Article 39(d), part IV of the constitution of India. He said that this constitutional perspective indicates that where the work is same, all the circumstances and considerations are similar then people holding identical posts or ranks shall not be treated in a different way.
He further added that the preamble of the constitution seeks to achieve and provide social, economic and political justice to all the citizens of the country.He slammed the J&K govt policy where NHM employees are being provided less salary from their counterparts who are working on substantiative posts.He urged that no body is above constitution and when the constitution guarantees the doctrine of “Equal pay for equal work” how can the jk govt deprive NHM employees from this fundamental right.
Dr Owais Dar, General Secretary, DAK while demanding equal pay for equal work for NHM employees said that such principle has been upheld by the apex court of country with respect to temporary employees vis-a-vis permanent employees in govt sector. He gave reference of a judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court (State of Punjab & others vs Jagjit Singh & others)the Honble court has ruled that temporary employees performing similar duties & functions as discharged by permanent employees are entitled to draw wages at par with similarly placed permanent employees.
DAK Spokesperson, Dr Imtiyaz Banday while giving reference of recently advertised posts of medical officers under NHM for covid hospitals slammed the govt for fixing the salary of a medical officer below a class IV employee. He urged that the govt should come with a comprehensive and concrete policy for NHM employees who are working at front line even during this pandemic with regular employees. He hoped that govt should issue necessary instructions for raising the wages of NHM employees at par with regular employees.
