Noida: A case has emerged involving the alleged violation of National Health Mission (NHM) recruitment rules in the appointment of 15 staff nurses and two lab technicians at Noida District Hospital. The 17 health workers were reportedly recruited at the district hospital level despite restrictions on local-level appointments to these posts after May 2023. Following the issue coming to light, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) ordered that the salaries of all 17 health workers be stopped. Preliminary records indicate that around ₹58 lakh was paid in salaries to the first eight employees between August 2023 and June 2026, while approximately ₹21 lakh was paid to nine staff nurses appointed in 2025. The total salary expenditure is therefore estimated at around ₹79 lakh.
Eight Appointments Made in August 2023
According to the available information, six staff nurses and two lab technicians were appointed under the NHM in August 2023. Subsequently, nine more staff nurses were deployed in different months of 2025. All 17 employees were reportedly appointed through an agency engaged by the district hospital management.
The recruitment rules governing human resources were changed by the government in May 2023. Under the revised provisions, staff nurses and lab technicians could no longer be recruited at the district hospital level. Their appointment process was required to be handled at the NHM headquarters in Lucknow. The recruitment of these employees at the district level despite the revised provisions has therefore raised questions over the legality of the entire process.
Irregularity Revealed Through Joining Records
The matter came to light when information was sought regarding the number of health workers deployed through agencies under the NHM and the dates on which they had formally joined their posts. The district authorities forwarded details of all the employees to the NHM office in Lucknow.
During verification of the records, it was found that the joining of all 17 health workers had not been completed at the headquarters level. Instead, their appointments and joining procedures had been carried out directly at the district hospital. This raised questions over the validity of their appointments, following which the CMO office sought details of the entire recruitment process.
The preliminary inquiry found that the appointments appeared to have been made in violation of the applicable rules. Subsequently, an order was issued to stop the salaries of all 17 health workers. The authorities are now examining documents and records related to the recruitment process.
Around ₹79 Lakh Paid in Salaries
Preliminary information shows that the six staff nurses and two lab technicians appointed in August 2023 received around ₹58 lakh in salaries between August 2023 and June 2026. Another ₹21 lakh was reportedly spent on the nine staff nurses appointed in 2025.
The total salary expenditure linked to the 17 health workers therefore stands at approximately ₹79 lakh. The inquiry will now determine under what procedure the appointments were made at the district level despite the change in rules and which authority had granted permission for the recruitment.
The role of the recruitment agency is also under scrutiny. Officials are examining the basis on which the agency was engaged, the documents submitted for the appointments and the responsibility of the district hospital management in allowing the employees to join.
Officials Explain Their Positions
CMO Dr Madan Mohan Mani Tripathi said the recruitment of the health workers was carried out against the applicable rules. According to him, changes made to the human resources rules in 2023 meant that staff nurses and lab technicians could not be recruited at the district hospital level. He said the salaries of all concerned employees were stopped after the matter came to the department’s notice.
District Hospital CMS Dr Ashok Kumar Jha said the CMO office had sent a letter regarding the withholding of salaries of the 17 health workers. The employees were sent to the CMO office to seek clarification regarding the matter. The recruitment rules and related documents are also being examined.
The inquiry is currently underway. Officials are examining the recruitment process, joining dates, role of the agency and salary payment records. The final findings will determine at which level the alleged violations occurred and who may be held responsible.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
