Punjab issues final ultimatum to 1,500 nurses, calls strike illegal

Chandigarh: Nearly 1,500 striking nurses across three major government medical colleges in Punjab have been issued a final warning by the state government, directing them to resume duties immediately or face strict action under the East Punjab Essential Services (Maintenance) Act (ESMA), 1947. 

In a letter issued by the Director of Research and Medical Education (DRME), it was noted that despite ESMA being enforced from March 25, members of the United Nurses Association (UNA), Punjab, have continued to abstain from work, causing severe disruption to essential healthcare services.

The ongoing strike has affected operations in intensive care units (ICUs), neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), pediatric ICUs (PICUs), operating theatres, wards, and emergency services. 

Also Read:1,500 Punjab nurses go on indefinite strike over pay disparity, services hit

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that healthcare services across three major government medical college hospitals in Patiala, Amritsar, and Mohali have come under severe strain after nearly 1,500 nursing staff went on an indefinite strike starting Thursday, defying the provisions of the East Punjab Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1947 (ESMA).

The Punjab government on Sunday issued a final warning to striking nurses across three government medical colleges, directing them to immediately resume duties or face strict action under the East Punjab Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1947.

Terming the agitation “illegal and unlawful,” the government warned that failure to comply would compel it to initiate strict action. “The government hereby issues a final warning to all members of the Nursing Association to immediately call off the strike and resume their duties forthwith, failing which the government shall be constrained to initiate strict action,” the DRME said in its communication, reports Hindustan Times.

The institutions affected include Rajindra Medical College and Hospital, Patiala, Government Medical College, Amritsar, and Dr. BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohali, where officials estimate that 40 to 50% of nurses have joined the strike. Authorities said that contingency measures are being implemented, but the shortage of trained nurses has strained patient care.

Dr Vishal Chopra, Medical Superintendent at Govt Rajindra Hospital, said, "Around 600 nursing staff are on strike currently, but we are managing things as services are being availed from our nursing interns and the final year nursing students working under guidance. Similarly, we have requested three private colleges to provide us with the nursing interns and final year students," reports TOI.

The protest centres on a long-standing pay anomaly affecting nurses recruited on or after July 17, 2020. Union leaders claim that nearly 1,500 nurses are currently paid around Rs 29,000 per month under a Rs 2,800 grade pay, while demanding an upgrade to Rs 4,600 grade pay, which would increase salaries to approximately Rs 44,900 per month, along with reclassification of their posts from Grade C to Grade B. The union argues that the current pay structure is discriminatory and fails to reflect the workload and responsibilities of nurses in tertiary care hospitals.

The DRME, however, stated that the demand for Rs 4,600 grade pay is sub judice before a competent court and cannot be resolved administratively. Continuing the strike despite ESMA enforcement was described as a violation of statutory provisions. 

Union leaders, however, remain resolute. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Jujhar Singh, Patron, United Nurses Association of Punjab, said, “We will continue our strike until our demands are met. We will not bow down to such warnings from the state government.” He added that nursing students — who are not legally permitted to administer injectable medications, perform invasive procedures, or independently manage emergency and critical care cases — are being deployed on such duties, raising serious concerns about patient care. 

He also cautioned that assigning such duties without proper supervision could expose institutions to legal liability in the event of adverse outcomes.

Arti Bali, president of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nursing Union Patiala and chairperson of UNA, criticised the government, saying, “The government has already admitted in high-level meetings that our demand is legally and morally justified. Yet they invoke ESMA instead of issuing the correction order.”

Ramanjit Singh Gill, UNA state president, described the strike as a last resort after five to six years of repeated petitions to successive governments. 

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