Chandigarh, March 27 -- The Punjab government has invoked the East Punjab Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1947 (ESMA), against approximately 1,500 nursing staff members who launched an indefinite strike across three major government medical colleges in the state.
The move by the Department of Medical Education and Research mandates an immediate return to duty for all striking employees to ensure that essential healthcare services remain uninterrupted. Despite the government's stern directive, the nursing staff, primarily concentrated in the medical colleges of Mohali, Amritsar, and Patiala, have refused to resume work, vowing to continue their agitation until their long-standing demands are met.
The protest, spearheaded by the Unite...