Process to dismiss 262 NHM workers begins

Tribune Reporters

Panipat, December 11

Civil surgeon Dr Sant Lal Verma today started the termination process of 262 NHM employees. Whereas, the employees submitted a notice to the Civil Surgeon stating that they would begin an indefinite strike.

A delegation of the striking NHM employees, led by Amit Malik, met Dr Verma in his office and submitted a memorandum to him.

“The state executive body of Haryana NHM Employees Sangh has decided to go on an indefinite strike,” he said.

He said a notice had been submitted to the civil surgeon regarding the same.

“Our union had given time till 3 pm today to the state government to resolve our long pending issues, but the state government has failed to deal with our genuine problems,” he added.

Besides, DR SL Verma, civil surgeon said, the process to terminate the striking NHM employee had been started as per the state government’s order.

“As many as 262 NHM employees out of around 440 are on strike in our district and termination letters has been prepared. If they do not join their duties, the termination letters will be handed over to them tomorrow,” he added.

The NHM employees in the state are on strike from December 5 for their long pending demands, due to which the health services have been badly affected.

Strike enters 8th day

Kaithal: The protest dharna by the NHM employees entered it’s eighth day today and hundreds of employees abstained from duty and sat on a dharna outside the civil hospital here.

They said they would not end their protest till their demands were accepted by the government.

Sarv Karamchari Sangh also extended its support to the NHM employees. Meanwhile, CMO Ashok Chaudhary said he had sent list of about 200 employees who were absent, while 150 were on duty. He said action would be taken against the striking employees as per the directions of the higher authorities.

On the other hand, despite efforts by the officials of the Health Department, the strike continues to have an adverse affect on the functioning of the health services and causing inconvenience to patients.

Employees raise slogans

Rohtak: The National Health Mission (NHM) workers agitating for the fulfillment of their longstanding demands for the past several days staged a protest demonstration here today.

The protesting workers raised slogans against the state government and asserted that their agitation would continue till their demands were met. The NHM workers, who have been sacked by the government for striking their work, also begged for alms from the passers-by during the protest march.

“We had withdrawn our strike last year after the state government assured us of fulfilling our demands. But, our demands have still not been fulfilled. Now, we will not budge from our stance till our demands are met,” said the workers’ leader.

Section 144 imposed around hospitals

Chandigarh: Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij has directed to impose Section 144 within two km radius of civil hospitals in the state to facilitate the patients and to ensure timely treatment for them.

Vij issued the directions to the officers concerned while presiding over a meeting of the Health Department here today.

He said the government was spending Rs 180 crore per annum on the employees of the National Health Mission (NHM) and the major demands of the employees had already been fulfilled.

He said a hike of five per cent and another hike of three per cent had been made in the honorarium of these employees. Apart from this, approval to hike 14.29 per cent in their honorarium had also been given as per the 7th Pay Commission.

The minister said a notice had been issued to the NHM employees, who were on strike. Resultant to which, maximum employees had joined their duties. However, the process had been started to terminate the services of those employees who had not yet joined their duties.

“New recruitment process has also been started to avoid inconvenience to the patients,” he added.