Dental surgeons to hold 2-hour strike

Tribune News Service

Karnal, August 13

Dental surgeons of the state, under the banner of the Haryana Civil Dental Surgeons Association (HCDSA), announced a two-hour strike on August 14 in support of their long-pending demands.

They alleged discrimination against them as compared to doctors of Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS). They said they were not getting assured career progression (ACP) like the HCMS doctors.

Dr Puneet Kaushik, dental surgeon, said their association had handed over a memorandum regarding their proposed protests to Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh.

“We request the government to address the discrimination we have been facing for the last 16 years and fulfill our legitimate demands. Since the government has not come up with any solution so far, we have no option but to go on protest,” said Kaushik.

Dr Abhay Aggarwal, a senior dental surgeon, said that on Tuesday, they wore black bands to express their resentment against the discrimination. On August 14, they would observe a two-hour strike from 10 am to 12 pm. On August 16, all dental surgeons working in the state’s health institutions would continue their services while observing a fast, he said.

On August 17, all dental surgeons would reach the residence of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in Kurukshetra at 6 pm after their duty hours. They would hold a candle march from the community centre in Sector 4 to the CM residence in Sector 3, where they would submit a memorandum to the CM, he said.From August 19 to 21, dental surgeons would submit memorandums to the MPs and MLAs across the state after their duty hours.

On August 22, they would be on mass leave, while on August 23, they would boycott all non-dental works being done by them related to the National Health Mission and Civil Surgeon offices, except for treating patients. On August 24, they would go on a hunger strike in front of the offices of all Civil Surgeons from 10 am to 4 pm, he said.

“If no positive action is taken on our demands, we will be forced to take further steps decided during a meeting on August 25,” he said.