11-08-2025 12:20:58 AM
Nursing associations across Telangana have stepped up their demand for equal pay for Community Health Officers (CHOs) and Mid-Level Health Providers (MLHPs) under the National Health Mission (NHM), alleging salary discrimination despite doing the same work as their counterparts.
As per Central Government guidelines, all MLHPs are entitled to a basic salary of Rs 25,000 plus performance-based incentives of Rs 15,000, totalling Rs 40,000 per month. However, the Telangana Medical Contract Employees & Workers Union – MLHP Wing (AITUC) says BSc Nursing and GNM-qualified CHOs in the state receive only Rs 29,000, while BAMS, MBBS, and BHMS appointees get the full Rs 40,000.
“This is a clear violation of the ‘Equal Pay for Equal Work’ principle and amounts to professional discrimination,” said Sheik Latheef, a CHO at Chandur PHC. He noted that states such as Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu pay all MLHPs equally, regardless of qualification.
The Telangana BSc Nursing Association has petitioned the Health Minister, alleging that recruitment for CHOs and NHM Nursing Officers has sidelined degree holders in favour of diploma-qualified candidates, with BAMS graduates given priority for CHO posts. It also claims nursing graduates are disproportionately posted to remote rural areas.
Their demands include an immediate hike to Rs 40,000 for all MLHPs/CHOs, merit-based recruitment, Rs 10 lakh health insurance cover, paid maternity leave, PF benefits, performance-based incentives, improved rural health centre infrastructure, and timely salary disbursement by the 1st of each month.
Union representatives warn that unless pay parity and recruitment fairness are ensured, unrest among nursing CHOs will intensify across Telangana.