The North News
Chandigarh, March 26
Nursing staff at three government medical colleges and hospitals in Punjab began an indefinite strike on Thursday, defying the state government’s order under the Essential Services (Maintenance) Act (ESMA) as they pressed for restoration of the Rs 4,600 grade pay. The strike disrupted services at government medical colleges in Patiala, Amritsar and Mohali, officials said.
Routine healthcare operations, including outpatient departments (OPDs), ward management and other non-emergency services, were affected, while emergency care continued without disruption.
The protest was organised under the banner of the United Nurses Association of Punjab.
Earlier, the Punjab government had invoked ESMA to ensure uninterrupted medical and nursing services in government medical colleges and their affiliated hospitals across the state.
Under the order, nursing staff and other essential medical personnel were directed not to abstain from duty, with officials warning that violations could attract penal action under the law.
Despite the warning, nurses went ahead with the strike, saying the withdrawal of the Rs 4,600 grade pay had affected their salaries and promotional benefits.
Association leaders said staff from government medical colleges joined the protest as part of a wider statewide agitation.
“Our main demand is the restoration of the Rs 4,600 grade pay,” United Nurses Association of Punjab president Ramanjit Singh Gill said, adding that the strike would continue until the government addressed the issue.
Officials said the administration was monitoring the situation and taking steps to ensure critical healthcare services remained functional.
With PTI Inputs
