NHM workers' honorarium hike: J&K Health Minister sends proposal to Centre
Synopsis
J&K Health Minister Sakina Itoo has formally sent a proposal to the Centre to hike NHM workers' honorarium — and says the Union Health Minister has personally assured her the demand will be examined. With NHM pay controlled entirely by New Delhi, the ball is now squarely in the Centre's court.
Key Takeaways
J&K Health Minister Sakina Itoo confirmed on 8 August that a proposal to hike NHM workers' honorarium has been sent to the Union Government .
The announcement was made at an inauguration function in Kulgam district .
Itoo met the Union Health Minister recently and raised the issue directly; the minister assured her the demand would be examined.
NHM workers' pay is funded by the Centre, limiting J&K's ability to act independently on the matter.
Other service-related concerns of NHM employees within J&K's jurisdiction are separately under examination by the administration.
The NHM workforce in J&K includes qualified doctors and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) .
Jammu & Kashmir Health Minister Sakina Itoo on Saturday, 8 August confirmed that a formal proposal to increase the honorarium of National Health Mission (NHM) workers has been submitted to the Union Government for consideration. The announcement was made during an inauguration function in Kulgam district, offering fresh assurance to NHM employees who have long pressed for better pay.
What the Minister Said
Addressing the gathering, Itoo underscored the critical role NHM workers play in J&K's public health infrastructure. 'NHM workers do a lot of work, and their role in the Health Department is very important. Their payment comes from the Central Government, and I have taken up the matter with the Centre several times,' she said.
The Minister confirmed she had also raised the issue directly with the Union Health Minister in a recent meeting. 'The Union Health Minister has said that he will definitely examine the issue of increasing the pay or honorarium of NHM employees,' Itoo added.
Why the Centre Holds the Key
NHM workers' honoraria are funded and regulated by the Union Government, leaving state administrations with limited room to act unilaterally. This structural dependency means J&K's administration can advocate but cannot unilaterally revise pay scales — making the Centre's response decisive. Itoo noted she has pursued the matter 'several times' at the federal level, signalling that the demand is not new.
Other Concerns Being Examined Locally
Beyond the honorarium question, Itoo said certain other service-related issues of NHM employees — those within the jurisdiction of the Jammu and Kashmir Government — are currently under examination by the administration. No timeline was specified for resolution of these matters.
Who NHM Workers Are
The NHM workforce in J&K includes qualified doctors and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), who collectively form the backbone of primary and community healthcare delivery across the region. Their work spans maternal health, immunisation, disease surveillance, and rural outreach — services that disproportionately benefit remote and underserved communities in the Union Territory.
With the proposal now formally before the Centre and a ministerial-level assurance from the Union Health Minister, NHM workers and health advocates will be watching closely for a concrete decision in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
And J&K is one of many Union Territories caught in the structural bind of Centre-funded pay scales. What is notable here is that Itoo has escalated to a direct ministerial meeting, which is a step beyond routine correspondence. However, an assurance to 'examine' the demand is far from a commitment, and without a timeline or a concrete revision order, NHM workers remain in a familiar holding pattern. The broader question is whether the Centre will treat this as a J&K-specific request or use it as an opportunity to revise NHM honoraria nationally — a move that would benefit hundreds of thousands of frontline health workers across India.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NHM honorarium hike proposal sent by J&K to the Centre?
J&K Health Minister Sakina Itoo has formally submitted a proposal to the Union Government requesting an increase in the honorarium paid to National Health Mission (NHM) workers in the region. Since NHM workers' pay is funded by the Centre, the decision to revise it rests with the Union Government.
What did the Union Health Minister say about the NHM pay hike demand?
According to Minister Itoo, the Union Health Minister assured her during a recent meeting that the demand for an honorarium hike for NHM employees would be 'definitely examined.' No specific timeline or quantum of increase has been announced yet.
Why can't J&K directly increase NHM workers' pay?
NHM workers' honoraria are financed and regulated by the Union Government under the National Health Mission framework. State governments and Union Territories can advocate for revisions but cannot unilaterally change the pay structure, making Centre approval essential.
Who are NHM workers in Jammu and Kashmir?
NHM workers in J&K include qualified doctors and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) who deliver primary healthcare services across the Union Territory. They are involved in maternal health, immunisation, disease surveillance, and rural community outreach.
Are there other issues besides honorarium being addressed for NHM workers in J&K?
Yes. Minister Itoo stated that certain other service-related concerns of NHM employees that fall within the J&K Government's jurisdiction are currently being examined by the administration, though no details or timelines were provided.
