BJP extends support to NHM workers’ indefinite strike in Warangal

WARANGAL: BJP leaders on Saturday extended support to the ongoing indefinite strike by National Health Mission (NHM) contract and outsourced employees, demanding that the State government immediately regularise about 17,000 NHM workers across Telangana.

The strike, launched at Pochamma Maidan here, entered its fifth day. BJP Warangal district president Ganta Ravikumar and State executive member Dr Pagadala Kali Prasada Rao visited the protest camp and expressed solidarity with the employees.

Speaking on the occasion, Ganta Ravikumar said NHM employees, including doctors, ANMs and paramedical staff, had served people risking their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. He said it was unfortunate that such frontline health workers were now forced to protest for job security.

He alleged that the Congress government had promised to regularise contract and outsourced employees before coming to power, but had failed to fulfil the assurance. He criticised the government for ignoring the problems of the families dependent on nearly 17,000 NHM employees.

Demand for regularisation

The BJP leaders demanded that the government immediately address the legitimate demands of NHM workers, initiate the regularisation process and provide job security. They said the party would stand by the employees until their issues were resolved.

They warned that the government should respond immediately and hold talks with the protesting employees. Otherwise, they said, the agitation would be intensified in the coming days.

BJP district general secretary Bakam Harishankar, district secretary Goke Venkatesh, Desaipet mandal president Vippa Sudhakar, Shivnagar mandal president Mohammed Rafi, Sangem mandal president Chandrasekhar, party leader Mallikarjun, representatives of the NHM Employees’ JAC, doctors, ANMs and paramedical staff participated in the programme.

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KOTHA RAMESH

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