Seeking parity with HCMS docs, dental surgeons observe strike
Tribune News Service
Karnal, August 14
Dental surgeons of the state, under the banner of the Haryana Civil Dental Surgeons Association (HCDSA), observed a two-hour strike today in support of their demands, including assured career progression (ACP) like the Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) doctors. Due to their strike, patients had to wait till the end of their strike which was held from 10 am to 12 noon.
Dr Abhay Aggarwal, a senior dental surgeon, said they had already announced the strike and apprised the authorities of their decision. “We have been forced to take this step as despite our requests to the higher authorities and the government, no action has been taken on our long-standing demands,” he added.
“The dental surgeons have been facing discrimination for the past 16 years. The doctors of the HCMS are getting ACP after 5, 10 and 15 years of their service, while the dental surgeons are getting it after 5, 11 and 17 years. The second ACP at 11 years is only for 25 per cent of the cadre and the third ACP at 17 years is only for 20 per cent of the cadre, said Dr Aggarwal.
Dr Puneet Kaushil, another dental surgeon, said they had been facing discrimination and the issue should be addressed by the government.
He said the dental surgeons would reach the residence of CM Nayab Singh Saini in Kurukshetra on August 17 after taking out a candle march from the Community Center in Sector 4 to the CM’s residence in Sector 3, where they will submit a memorandum to the CM.
They would hand over memorandums to MPs and MLAs of the state on August 19 to 21, be on mass leave on August 22 and boycott non-dental works on August 23. They would also go on hunger strike in front of the offices of all Civil Surgeon from 10 am to 4 pm on August 24, Dr Kaushik added.
