Kulwinder Singh Mahal
Patiala, April 2
Nursing staff at Rajindra Hospital staged a symbolic protest by making a buffalo representing the government and playing a flute before it to demand the implementation of 4600 grade pay.
The protest is part of the agitation being held by nursing staff at government medical hospitals across Punjab for the past eight days.
Members of the nursing staff said they have been in talks with the government for several years over the implementation of the 4600 grade pay. They alleged that the government had repeatedly assured them, including in writing, that the pay grade would be implemented, but it has still not been enforced.
They said they were forced to begin protests at Punjab’s three major medical colleges after their demand remained pending despite repeated promises.
The protesting nurses said the act of playing a flute before the “government buffalo” was meant to awaken the government and remind it to fulfill what they described as their rightful demand.
They warned that if the government does not show interest in resolving the issue, the protests will be intensified in the coming days.
