Archive · 1 Dec 2025
Punjab NHM Employees Strike Over Salary Delays
In Punjab, India, more than 9,000 health workers are on strike because they haven't been paid for two months.
These workers are part of the National Health Mission (NHM), which helps people in rural and urban areas get better healthcare.
The workers say the state government is late in giving its share of the money, which causes delays in the central government's payment.
The new system for paying salaries is also causing problems.
The workers want their salaries on time, like other health department employees.
Meanwhile, around 18,000 ASHA workers, who also get money from NHM, haven't been paid for even longer.
Over 9,000 NHM employees in Punjab began a pen-down strike on Monday over delayed salaries for October and November.
The employees allege that the state government's delay in releasing its 40% share of the funding has caused the central government to withhold its 60% share.
The new SNA-SPARSH portal system, which links central and state funds, is cited as a reason for the delay in salary payments.
NHM employees in Punjab receive lower pay compared to those in neighboring Haryana due to smaller state contributions.
The Punjab Health and Family Welfare Department claims that the state has submitted the salary claim for October to the Centre, but the full amount is yet to be released.
- Who
- Over 9,000 NHM employees in Punjab, including staff nurses, community health officers, and auxiliary nurse midwives
- What
- Pen-down strike over delayed salaries for October and November
- When
- Strike began on Monday
- Where
- Across Punjab, India
- Why
- Delays in salary payments due to funding issues between the state and central governments
- Number of Employees on Strike
- Over 9,000
- Salary Range
- Rs 20,000 to Rs 70,000
- Funding Pattern
- 60% Central, 40% State
- Pending Salaries
- October and November
- System Used
- SNA-SPARSH portal
- NHM Program Aim
- Improve access to health services in underserved areas
- ASHA Workers Pending Payment
- 3 to 6 months