Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) in the healthcare sector for the next six months.
The Department of Home Affairs (Special section) has issued a directive in this regard on Wednesday to prohibit any kind of strike, protests and agitation by the medical professionals.
“In exercise of the power conferred by Section -3 of react with Section-2 of the Odisha Essential Services (Maintenance) Act 1988 (Odisha Act 9 of 1992), the State Government do hereby prohibit strikes,” a Home Department statement said.
Now, no government employee engaged in public health services can observe agitation or strike. This law will be strictly enforced for nurses, paramedical staff and technicians working connected with the maintenance of medical services in the Government Hospitals and Dispensaries in the State like District Head Quarters Hospitals, Sub- Divisional Hospitals, Area Hospitals, Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres, Municipality Hospitals, ESI Hospitals and government-run Medical Colleges and Hospitals.
Similarly, ESMA has also been implemented for the Class III and Classs IV employees of the state government. The Act will remain in force for next six months.
It is also applicable for staff of government funded health institutions specifically AHRCC, Regional Spinal Injury Centre including Jail Hospitals, Police Hospitals. According to the instructions issued by the Home Department, ESMA has been implemented in view of the urgent needs of the public.
