Aggrieved nurses to stage dharna; Nagaland government warns on ceasing of work

Dimapur, Nov. 16 (EMN): The ‘Department Recruited Aggrieved Nurses (DRAN) 2021’ has decided to go ahead with its third stage of agitation after its meeting with the Health department officials was inconclusive.

Dismayed over their pleas falling on deaf ears, the DRAN members decided to stage dharna from today, Thursday, and not to leave the site of the protest at the Secretariat in Kohima till their demands are fulfilled, informed an update.

They went on to say that they had meeting with the Trained Nurses’ Association of India, Nagaland, and were visited by three student bodies to show their solidarity and support to the ongoing agitation.

Health department clarifies

Meanwhile, the Health department once again clarified that it had recruited the nurses “with clear direction that these appointment will be temporary and regular recruitment shall be conducted through special NPSC recruitment drive” for all post coming under the purview of NPSC, after correcting an erroneously advertisement which was published a day earlier.

It added an engagement order was issued in April 2021 with the terms and conditions which reads that “Engagement shall be for the period of 12 (twelve) months only or till regular appointment is made through NPSC whichever is earlier” and the appointees shall have no right to claim for regularization.

It went on to inform that on the approval of the Cabinet and after consultation with NPSC as well as advice of P&AR department, it announced a special recruitment drive with “due weightage of marks has been accorded for COVID-19 duty @ 25% and Work experience @10%”.

The department said that it had several rounds of meetings with aggrieved staff nurse representatives and requested them to call off the agitation but to no avail.

Agitators can be arrested without warrant

With the DRAN deciding to completely cease work even in ICU and emergency services starting from November 16, the government of Nagaland has warned, stating that ceasing of work by nurses employed in Government Health Unit and facilities will seriously impact the delivery of essential services and jeopardise the lives of the people.

In view of this development, the Governor of Nagaland, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 (1) of the Nagaland Essential Services (Maintenance Act) 1978, prohibited the call for cease of work by aggrieved nurses.

It stated that if any nurse engaged in government health unit and facility go for agitation or cessation of work, it will be considered illegal and punishable with an imprisonment up to one year, or with fine, or with both under the Act.

It went on to add that the defaulters will be liable to disciplinary action and can be arrested without warrant.