Chhattisgarh health department terminates NHM staff after indefinite strike disrupts services

RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh health department has terminated the services of 25 officers and employees of the National Health Mission, Chhattisgarh, who were on an indefinite strike since August 18, 2025.

The staff were protesting to press for their demands, disrupting health services in hospitals and causing distress to patients, according to health department officials.A meeting of the executive committee on August 13 addressed 10 demands from the NHM staff, with five being accepted. The remaining demands were under consideration at the govt level, officials said.Despite repeated notices, the employees did not return to work.

On August 29, health department secretary Amit Kataria issued an order directing all staff to resume duty or face termination. The NHM staff, by not returning to work, violated the order, causing significant disruption to healthcare services, officials said.The govt said that negligence in public interest work cannot be tolerated and that the strike was in violation of rules. The action was taken to ensure the smooth functioning of the state’s healthcare system.

The department said that further action is also being taken on other cases.A health department officer said, "The NHM employees did not comply with the state govt’s notice instructing them to return to work, and those who were leading the strike have been sacked."Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh NHM Sangh state general secretary Kaushlesh Tiwari told TOI that the state govt has terminated those 25 officers and employees who were leading the demonstration.

"I am one of the terminated employees. We will not stop," he said.Since August 18, approximately 16,000 contractual NHM employees across Chhattisgarh have been on an indefinite strike, disrupting healthcare services statewide.The govt responded firmly, enforcing a strict “no work, no pay” policy a few days ago. Salaries were withheld for those absent from duty, and chief medical and health officers (CMHOs) were instructed not to release pay for the month.

Additionally, absent employees are being issued show-cause notices and face potential dismissal if they do not return to work.The protesting NHM employees are pushing for a 10-point charter of demands, including service regularisation, establishment of a public health cadre, clear grade pay determination, improvements in performance evaluation, a pending 27% salary hike, reservation quotas in regular recruitment, compassionate appointment provisions, medical leave and other leave benefits, transfer policy clarity, and minimum Rs 10 lakh medical insurance.