Declaring the call of doctor’s strike as “illegal, unjustified and detrimental to public interest", the Orissa government has decided to invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act, ESMA, against the agitating government doctors.
In fact, the doctors have been protesting against the dismissal of three doctors by government and seeking their reinstatement. They were dismissed on the grounds of cutting palms while performing post mortem of 5 tribals killed in police firing in 2006 Kalinga Nagar violence.
Earlier, over 2000 agitating doctors had submitted their resignation and threatened to cease work from Sunday (November 9). Reportedly, seven office-bearers of Orissa Medical Service Association (OMSA) had also resigned ahead of the Sunday strike.
However, OMSA is yet to make a formal announcement whether to go with the strike on Nov 9 or withdraw their resignation.
It is also to mention here that doctors are also demanding the creation of a cadre structure and security at workplaces. This apart, they are also against the government decision to transfer doctors practicing in capital hospital, Bhubaneswar to the backward KBK region.
On Friday, accepting the resignation of seven doctors including the president of OMSA, State Health Minister Sanatan Bisi had told journalists that the government would take action against the doctors for violating the rules. On the other hand while answering a question on doctor’s demands, the minister said that the demands were under consideration.
Meanwhile, the state administration is busy in placing alternative arrangements to cope with the grave situation if doctors go on strike on such a large scale.
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