Mumbai, July 16 -- The Maharashtra State Nurses Association (MSNA) launched a state-wide agitation to protest ongoing pay disparities under the 7th Pay Commission and to oppose the recent government resolution permitting the contractual recruitment of nurses.

MSNA Vice President Bhimrao Chakre vowed to halt services across the state in the future if their demands were not fulfilled.

"We have been protesting here since yesterday, and patient services may come to a halt, though we don't want that. We wrote our demands to the government a month ago but have received no response... The risk allowance and laundry allowance from the state government are negligible compared to the central government... A notice has been issued that 80% female ...