Haryana doctors call off Sept 14 strike after govt’s assurance

CHANDIGARH: Doctors working in state government health institutions, who had observed a token two-hour strike on Monday, called off their proposed September 14 strike after the government assured them that all their demands are being “actively considered”.

The Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA) which observed the token strike from 8 am to 10 am on Monday, despite enforcement of the Haryana Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), had rendered all emergency services to protest against what they termed as callous attitude of the government towards their long-pending demands. Health minister Anil Vij, however, maintained that no services were hit as only a small segment of doctors observed twohour strike and that notices were being sent to them.

HCMSA president Jasbir Parmar told HT that principal secretary, health department, Amit Jha with whom a delegation of the association met on Tuesday evening, assured them that the government was actively considering their demands which would soon be accepted.

The HCMSA demands include benefit of incentive in National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for post-graduation doctors working in rural areas throughout the state, incentive to specialist doctors to attract and retain them government in government hospitals and change of designation after 10 years.