Mokokchung, July 17 (MTNews): The Governor of Nagaland has prohibited the call for “Indefinite Cease Work” called by Nagaland In-Service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) from July 18, stating that it will “seriously impact delivery of essential health services, thereby putting in grave jeopardy the life and well-being of the people of the state.”

 

NIDA in a circular dated July 11 had announced that all its members would go an agitation from July 18 to the 20th in which the members would cease work, and provide only emergency services in all the government health units/facilities in the state, and thereafter from July 21 onwards, cease even the emergency services for an indefinite period.

 

In an order issued by the chief secretary J Alam on Sunday said that no doctor employed or deployed in any government health unit or facility should go for agitation or cessation of work, and any such act would be considered illegal.

 

“Any doctor employed/deployed in any Government health unit/facility who goes for cessation of work/strike, under section 4 of Nagaland Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1978 shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both,” the order read.

 

Further, any doctor employed/deployed in any government health unit/facility against whom action is taken under section 4 of the Nagaland Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1978, would also be liable to disciplinary action under the relevant service/conduct rules or contractual conditions as applicable, the order added.

 

“Notwithstanding anything contained in the CrPC, 1973, any police officer may arrest without warrant any doctor employed/deployed in any Government health unit/facility, who is reasonably suspected of having committed the illegal act of ceasing work/going on strike under section 8 of the Nagaland Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1978,” it added.

 

 

CNTC supports demand of NIDA

 

Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) while extending support to Nagaland In-Service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) is of the opinion that the demand of NIDA to enhance the age of superannuation to 62 years is legitimate and genuine.

 

“While the Central Government has announced and implemented 65 years as superannuation of age, the demand for 62 years (3 years less than the central policy) is logical and practical,” CNTC Media Cell said in a press release.

 

“It must be noted that there is an acute shortage of doctors in Government hospitals across the state and the demand of NIDA, if implemented, will help mitigate the shortfall to a very large extent,” it added.

 

CNTC also said that the ratio of doctors per population in the state is very low compared to the neighbouring states and as a result, there are very less doctors in the remotely located health centres than its actual requirements. As a result, CNTC said, health services in remote areas are greatly affected thus aggravating the sufferings of people living in remote areas.

 

“In the light of the above stated facts and circumstances, the CNTC appeals to the competent authority to accept the genuine demand of NIDA for the greater cause of the people of Nagaland,” it stated.

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