53 more NHM workers sacked

Tribune News Services

Chandigarh, October 27

Coming down on the striking National Health Mission (NHM) workers, the government today terminated the services of 53 more workers.

The Mission Director of the NHM today directed the respective Civil Surgeons to terminate the services of three workers in Bhiwani, four in Faridabad, two in Hisar, six in Sonepat, three in Rewari, nine in Gurgaon, two in Karnal, five in Panchkula, six in Palwal, four in Jind and nine in Sirsa.

Earlier, the NHM had terminated the services of six office-bearers of the NHM Employees’ Association on October 25, the day they had started their indefinite strike for various demands, including regularisation of their services.

Health Minister Anil Vij had made it clear a day before the NHM workers began their strike that the government would not allow them to disrupt work at a time when large numbers of cases of vector-borne diseases were being witnessed.

Cong extends support

Karnal: The Congress today extended support to the ongoing strike by NHM workers here. Its former district president Surinder Narwal reached the dharna site outside the Civil Surgeon Office and criticised the attitude of the government for not paying heed to the demands of the employees.

The protest of more than 500 employees of the NHM entered third day today outside the Civil Surgeon office here, crippling health facilities in the district.

Dr SL Verma, civil surgeon, claimed that they had made alternate arrangements. “Of 19, six government ambulances and one from private institute have been plying for patients. We are trying to engage more drivers for the smooth plying of ambulance services,” he said.