Haryana health staff protest, seek recruitment before transfer drive

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Pharmacists, Multi-Purpose Health Workers stage symbolic strike, allege sanctioned posts being reduced under rationalisation

Panchkula, September 30

Pharmacists and members of the Multi-Purpose Health Worker (MPHW) Association staged a one-day symbolic strike at the Director General Health Services office in Panchkula on Tuesday, protesting vacant posts in the Health Department and the alleged abolition of sanctioned posts under the online transfer policy.

The employees demanded permanent recruitment against vacancies before the government initiated the transfer drive.

The employees said the government should have filled all vacant posts before implementing the online transfer policy. They warned that failure to address their demands could lead to a statewide agitation in the coming days.

Employee leaders described the protest as a symbolic warning. They said they would decide their next course of action if the department and the government failed to hold discussions and resolve their concerns. This could include an indefinite strike or a state-level protest, they added.

MPHW Association president Sharmila alleged that sanctioned posts were being reduced in the name of online transfers and rationalisation. She said rationalisation should expand services rather than reduce the cadre.

Sharmila claimed nearly 50 per cent of posts in the Health Department were vacant, increasing the workload on existing employees. She demanded recruitment before implementation of the transfer policy.

Pharmacists’ Association state president Jagdeep Ohlyan said around 60 per cent of these posts in hospitals and health centres were vacant. He said pharmacists performed technical duties that other employees could not handle and alleged that the transfer drive was creating difficulties for staff instead of addressing vacancies.