Bandipora, Feb 26 : More than 200 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) staged a massive protest in Bandipora on Thursday against the non-release of their pending wages and incentives, alleging prolonged delays and administrative neglect. The protesters briefly blocked a key road of Mini Secretariat, causing traffic disruption, before dispersing peacefully following assurances from police authorities.
The protesting ASHA workers said that their payments under the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) programme have been pending since April, incentives under the “Assure” component have not been cleared for the past three months, and other routine incentives have been withheld since July 2025. They alleged that despite performing extensive field duties, their rightful earnings have not been disbursed.
Raising slogans and holding placards, the workers expressed resentment over what they termed as continuous financial uncertainty. “We are working day and night in the field, taking care of high-risk patients, conducting surveys, assisting in immunisation drives, and implementing various health schemes. Despite this, our wages are withheld for months,” several protesters said.
The Station House Officer (SHO) of Bandipora, Waseem Shah, reached the spot soon after the protest intensified and held talks with the agitating workers. He assured them that their grievances would be conveyed to the concerned authorities and the administration for early redressal. Following the assurance, the protesters lifted the road blockade and dispersed peacefully.
Speaking to media persons, Shareefa Begum, head of the ASHA group, said that the prolonged delay in payments has severely affected their families. “We come from poor backgrounds. Our families are facing a lot because our wages have not been released. We have children to feed and households to run,” she said.
Afroza Begum, another protester, highlighted the daily hardships faced by the workers. “We don’t even have money for bus fares to attend duties. Still, we continue to work because we feel responsible for our communities,” she said, adding that ASHAs are at the forefront of public health services in rural areas.
Several workers also alleged that they are facing multiple issues while meeting their concerned officer. “Whenever we try to meet with our officer regarding our pending payments or other concerns, we face many difficulties. We are not heard properly and sometimes feel humiliated in the office,” one of the ASHAs said.
The protesters further claimed that since the incumbent Block Medical Officer (BMO) Bandipora assumed charge, their issues have remained unresolved. “From the very date the BMO took charge, we have been facing these problems. We are told to wait repeatedly, but months have passed without any concrete solution. We are only demanding our hard-earned wages,” they said. Some workers alleged that the officer visits the office only a few days a week, which, according to them, has delayed resolution of their grievances.
The ASHAs maintained that they are shouldering responsibilities that often go beyond their designated roles. “We are working more than many officers and staff. We handle high-risk cases, mobilise patients, assist during health emergencies, and perform tasks assigned under various government schemes. Despite compromising for the sake of our families, we are left unpaid,” they said.
Responding to the allegations, the BMO Bandipora Dr Tahir Ahmad clarified that the delay in releasing wages was due to the absence of the concerned accountant, who is on maternity leave. “We have already written to higher authorities for deputation of an accountant and are awaiting orders. As soon as a new accountant takes charge, the pending wages will be released without further delay,” the BMO said.
Meanwhile, the protesting workers urged the district administration to intervene and ensure immediate release of their dues, stating that timely payment is essential for their survival and continued service delivery.
The situation remained peaceful throughout, and no untoward incident was reported.
