Shillong, May 27: The National Health Mission Employees Association of Meghalaya (NEAM) has expressed strong concern over the non-payment of salaries to employees under the National Health Mission (NHM) for the month of April 2026, stating that the delay has caused severe hardship to thousands of healthcare workers across the state.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, the Association said the issue of delayed salary disbursement is not an isolated incident but has occurred repeatedly in the past. NEAM stated that it had raised the matter on several occasions with the concerned authorities.
According to the Association, representatives of NEAM had met the Health and Family Welfare Minister of Meghalaya along with the Mission Director of NHM on May 22, 2026, to apprise them of the salary issue and other difficulties faced by NHM employees. The Association said it was assured that the matter would be resolved within a few days, but despite the assurance, salaries remain unpaid till date.
The Association alleged that the delay is reportedly linked to the implementation of the Aadhaar-based payment system integrated with SPARSH, a new operational payment mode mandated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
While acknowledging the need for reforms to improve the system, NEAM maintained that the government should have informed employees in advance about the transition process and possible delays in salary disbursement. It further claimed that no clear written clarification or notification regarding the implementation of the new system was circulated before its rollout.
NEAM stated that the uncertainty surrounding the new payment system has left many employees struggling financially, particularly those posted in Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs), sub-centres and other remote healthcare units across Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills.
The Association said many healthcare workers travel long distances daily to provide medical services in rural villages and that the delay in salary payment has severely affected their daily living expenses amid the rising cost of fuel and essential commodities.
Highlighting the role of NHM workers in the state’s healthcare delivery system, NEAM said more than 3,000 employees are currently working under the mission in Meghalaya and warned that continued delays could adversely impact healthcare services and beneficiaries across the state.
The Association urged the state government to intervene immediately and ensure that salaries are released within the next few days. It also warned that if the issue remains unresolved, the Association may be compelled to take “drastic steps” across the state without hesitation.
