Protest Over Long-Pending Demands
Community health officers (CHOs) held a protest on Monday outside the Civil Surgeon's office in Ludhiana, pressing for their long-pending demands. The demonstration was part of statewide protests organized by the Community Health Officers (CHO) Association Punjab and the Novel Integrated Association of CHOs.
Union leaders announced that CHOs have suspended their work from Monday as part of the ongoing agitation. During the protest, effigies representing the state government were set on fire, and slogans were raised against what protesters described as the continued neglect of genuine issues faced by CHOs.
State-Level Rally Planned
The protesters decided to organize a massive state-level demonstration near Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's residence in Sangrur on July 2. Addressing the media, Dr. Balvir Singh, office-bearer of the Community Health Officers Association Punjab, said they had repeatedly met government officials and Health Department authorities over the past several years and submitted numerous representations regarding their demands. However, despite several rounds of discussions and assurances, the government had failed to resolve any of their major issues, he alleged.
Key Demands of CHOs
According to the leaders, the key demands include implementation of the principle of “equal work, equal pay” for employees under the National Health Mission (NHM), restoration of the loyalty bonus, withdrawal of the newly introduced incentive proforma, sanctioning of the CHO cadre and posts, merger of incentive payments with basic salary, provision of non-practice allowance (NPA) for BAMS-qualified CHOs, restoration of hardship allowances, filling of vacant CHO posts, and creation of adequate promotional avenues.
Memorandum Submitted
The protesting CHOs submitted a memorandum addressed to the state government through the Civil Surgeon and urged for immediate initiation of dialogue and resolution of their issues. The union leaders warned of intensified protests if the state government continued to ignore their demands.
