Govt sacks NHM workers, CM says ‘only warned’

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 13

The services of more protesting National Health Mission (NHM) workers, who did not join duties despite notices issued to them, were terminated with immediate effect in several districts today. However, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar gave a contrasting statement in Rohtak, saying they had only been warned and not sacked.

According to reports, the services of 240 NHM workers in Amabla and 35 in Panipat were terminated while in several districts the employees continued with their protest today.

Khattar, while talking to mediapersons in Rohtak, said that the Union government has a 40 per cent share in the NHM scheme. “To extend the benefits of the Seventh Pay Commission to NHM employees, their remuneration has been increased by 14 per cent. Their other demands have also been sympathetically considered. The NHM workers have not been sacked, but warned. If they rejoin duties, it will be in the state’s interest,” he added.

However, the Civil Surgeons of several districts, including Rohtak, said that the striking NHM employees have been sacked.

Congress Legislative Party leader Kiran Chaudhary and former minister Subhash Batra met the protesting workers in Rohtak and extended support to them.

Meanwhile, District Magistrate Yash Garg has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in a radius of 2 km of all health centres in Rohtak district in view of the strike of the NHM employees.

240 workers’ services terminated in Ambala

Ambala: Service termination letters were issued to 240 National Health Mission (NHM) employees in Ambala on Wednesday as they failed to join duties even after notices were served on them.

There are 567 NHM employees in Ambala and 327 had joined duties till Tuesday. The remaining 240 employees were issued service termination letters Wednesday afternoon.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Vinod Gupta said, “Following directions from the higher authorities, the agitating NHM employees, who failed to resume duties, were issued termination letters on Wednesday. The higher authorities have taken the disciplinary action against the NHM employees considering public interest”.

According to information, the Health Department in Ambala has 22 ambulances and they are not being operated due the strike of NHM employees who drive them. The department has hired seven private ambulances, putting a financial burden of nearly Rs 30,000 every day.

The CMO said, “In some departments, especially in the Sick Newborn Care Unit where we were facing issues, regular staff have been assigned the duties that NHM employees were performing”.

Meanwhile, the protesters said they would continue with their agitation until their demands are met.

Health Minister Anil Vij had said on December 11 that, “The strike of NHM employees is unjustified and they have been asked to join duties. If they don’t report for duties, their services will be terminated and new employees hired”.

35 sacked in Panipat

Panipat: The Health Department on Wednesday terminated the services of 35 National Health Mission (NHM) employees. As many as 405 of total 440 NHM employees in the district joined duties on Wednesday. However, 35 employees, who did not join duties, were issued service termination orders, said Dr SL Verma, Civil Surgeon.

Earlier, the Civil Surgeon tried to pacify the protesting employees. He was carrying service termination notices and warned them of stringent action. Around 90 per cent of the total NHM employees had joined duties and all referral, transport and health services would be normal from Friday, said Dr Verma.

The entry of sacked employees into the general hospital premises was banned, he added. TNS

Protest continues for 9th day

Karnal: NHM employees continued with their dharna for the ninth consecutive day here on Wednesday. They earlier staged a dharna outside the Civil Surgeon’s office and observed a fast. They later held a protest march in the city in support of their demands. They handed over a memorandum, addressed to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, to Naib Tehsildar Raj Baksh Arora.

Meanwhile, members of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh also extended support to their protest.

Turn of events

• The state government on December 8 had directed civil surgeons in all districts to serve notices on striking NHM employees and ask them to join duties within 24 hours or their services would be terminated.
• NHM employees are on strike since December 5 and different health services such as referral, transport, delivery, health and emergency services have been disrupted.
• Health Minister Anil Vij has said that the strike of NHM employees is unjustified.
• Protesting employees are demanding framing of service rules and the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission award.