Demands ignored, say medicos

Our Correspondent 

Chamba, January 23 

The Himachal Pradesh Medical Officers Association (HMOA) today observed ‘mass casual leave’ in protest against non-acceptance of their demands. 

HMOA state president Dr Jiwa Nand Chauhan claimed that all medical officers went on a mass casual leave today to register their protest regarding non-fulfillment of their demands. However, only emergency services were allowed in various health institutions, he added. 

Detailing about their agitation schedule, Chauhan said the medical officers would continue their protest wearing black badges from January 24 to February 2 and, thereafter, start a pen-down strike for two hours daily from February 3 to 12 followed by mass causal leave again on February 13. 

“The strike will not be called off as long as the demands of medical officers are not accepted,” he said. He warned that in case the state government failed to accept their demands, all doctors throughout the state would be forced to submit their ‘mass resignation’ on February 24.