SMCH: Workers’ Protest Over Unpaid Salaries Disrupts Chief Minister’s Visit to Silchar Medical College

On 24 August 2024, a tense situation unfolded at Silchar Medical College and Hospital as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the institution. The visit, aimed at inaugurating a new ICU and reviewing the medical college’s operations, was met with an unexpected protest from the contractual workers of the Trauma Centre.

The contractual employees, who have been working at the Trauma Centre since 2010, were waiting for the Chief Minister to address their long-standing issues. Despite their hopes, the meeting did not go as planned. When they presented their demands to CM Sarma, he reportedly directed them to the college principal. This response angered the workers, who then staged a protest in front of the principal’s office.

In their memorandum, the workers detailed their grievances. They have not received their salaries since April 2015 and are facing severe financial difficulties. They also highlighted that their salaries have remained unchanged since 2010 and that they have only been receiving a nominal sum of ₹5,000. Their primary demand is for their employment to be regularised and for their overdue salaries to be paid.

One of the protesters told the media that every time they approach the principal with their demands, they are advised to speak with the Chief Minister. Now that they have taken the issue directly to the CM and received the same response, their frustration has led to this protest.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is currently on a three-day visit to Barak Valley. His visit to the hospital today was part of his agenda to oversee the new ICU’s inauguration and address local healthcare issues. Today, he also held a press conference, where he made several important announcements for the region and attended the 150th Anniversary of the Cachar District Bar Association.