Bhubaneswar: Two days after the government invoked Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, the Odisha Fire Services personnel called off their strike and joined duty on Friday.
The chief fireman Akshya Pradhan, who was leading the agitation, was given compulsory retirement.
Pradhan, however, said he would move to court against the action.
The government Wednesday invoked the Orissa Essential Services (Maintenance) Act (ESMA) prohibiting strikes by fire service personnel to ensure that emergency services are not disrupted.
The order imposing ESMA and prohibiting strikes will remain in force for six months from February 21, the notification said.
The government said that the ESMA was invoked in the public interest as the Fire Services are vitally necessary for the life of the community. Any such disruption can cause untold hardships to people and can lead to loss to life and property, the notification added.
The association of fire service personnel threatened a cease-work agitation from February 21 pressing for their demands.
Their demands include equal pay and allowance at par with Odisha police and government registration of their association.
