“NHM employees remain unpaid despite 15% salary hike; Diwali celebrations marred by crisis”

Thousands of NHM contractual employees in Maharashtra await August and September salaries. E-Sparsh system delays exacerbate hardship as families struggle with expenses ahead of Diwali.

Mumbai, October 17, 2025: Thousands of contractual officers and employees under Maharashtra’s National Health Mission (NHM) are facing a bleak Diwali as salaries for August and September remain unpaid, despite the government announcing a 15% pay hike recently.

Over 50,000 employees across the state, including approximately 2,500 in Pune, have yet to receive their monthly wages. Officials cite the transition to the new E-Sparsh digital payment system as the cause for the delay, warning that full implementation may not occur before Diwali. Families are struggling with essential expenses such as rent, school fees, and loan repayments.

The National Health Mission Integration Committee has written to the Commissioner of Health Services, urging urgent intervention. State Coordinator Vijay Gaikwad stated that funds under the 15th Finance Commission are available and can be used to clear pending salaries. The committee has requested permission to use unspent district-level funds for releasing August and September payments.

NHM employees previously staged a 23-day statewide strike from August 19 to September 10, demanding the implementation of a March 14, 2024 government resolution. The strike ended following assurances from Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, who later announced the 15% salary hike on October 9.

Staff now insist that the pending wages must be cleared before Diwali, warning that without action, thousands of workers will face a “dark Diwali”. Officials have emphasized the urgency of releasing payments to ensure both staff welfare and smooth operation of health services during the festive season.

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