Jahangeer Ganaie
Shopian, Feb 26: Employees at District Hospital Shopian have been without salaries for the past three months following the retirement of the Medical Superintendent in December.
The situation has sparked concern among staff members, who say the absence of Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) powers has halted the release of their wages.
According to hospital employees, the charge of Medical Superintendent was handed over to Dr Javid after the retirement of the previous head. However, the crucial DDO powers—required for processing and disbursing salaries—have not been assigned, leaving hundreds of employees in financial distress.
“We have been working continuously despite not receiving our salaries for three months. It has become extremely difficult to manage our households,” a staff nurse at the hospital, requesting anonymity, said. “We are committed to patient care, but our own families are suffering.”
The situation is particularly grim for lower-wage workers such as sweepers and sanitation staff, who say they are the worst affected by the delay.
“We earn very little, and even that has stopped now,” said a hospital sweeper. “How are we supposed to survive? We have children to feed and expenses to meet. We are working day and night to keep the hospital clean, but no one is listening to our problems.”
Another sanitation worker said, “We are on meagre salaries, and missing even one month creates problems. Now it has been three months. We request the authorities to understand our situation and release our wages immediately.”
Employees said they have raised the issue with concerned departments multiple times, but no concrete action has been taken so far. The delay, they say, is not only affecting their livelihoods but also impacting morale within the hospital.
Officials said that the lack of DDO powers is the primary reason behind the salary halt. “Until the powers are officially delegated, the salary process cannot move forward,” an official said.
The aggrieved employees have now appealed to higher authorities in the Health Department and the district administration to intervene urgently by granting DDO powers to the current in-charge Medical Superintendent or making alternative arrangements.
“We are not asking for anything extra—just our rightful salaries,” said another employee. “The government must act swiftly to resolve this issue.”
Employees also warned that if the matter is not addressed promptly, it could begin to affect the hospital’s operations. They have sought immediate attention from Health Minister Sakeena Itoo regarding the situation.
