Crucial meeting scheduled on Tuesday between CS and NIDA: Sources
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 18
The Nagaland In-Service Doctors' Association (NIDA) began its three-day mass casual leave on April 18, demanding an increase in retirement age for medical doctors of both administrative and clinical positions.
As per the association, the State Government via the Chief Secretary had given a “written assurance” on April 17, 2021 to implement the same within one year.
However, with no positive development on the issue, and the expiry of its deadline, NIDA began its first phase of agitation on Monday in the form of ‘mass casual leave’.
Earlier, the association had stated that the first phase would be followed by “total cease work and to the extent of mass resignations.”
The response from the members on the first day was almost 100%, claimed an official of the association.
The first day was a “full success” and it will continue tomorrow, the official added. Several district units of NIDA had earlier given their endorsement to the proposed agitation.
“Not Applicable,” replied the official, when queried whether more members would be joining the second day, given the ‘almost 100% first day success.’
Consequently, heath services across the State were affected as mass casual leaves affected the Out Patients' Department (OPD) and routine delivery of services in government hospitals and health centres across the state.
The emergency services were out of the purview of the first phase, NIDA had categorically stated earlier.
An NIDA official had told The Morung Express on the eve of the stir on Sunday that almost all its 500 plus members, have submitted casual leaves, and reiterated that the association would undertake the cease of work in emergencies as well as other method if there is no positive development.
While the State Government seems to be in a placating mode as per NIDA’s earlier releases, with proposal for 60 years superannuation age for administrative positions and 62 years superannuation age for clinical positions, among others.
But as the one-year deadline approached, the State Government adopted a more confrontational approach, drawing clear battle lines, and cautioning disciplinary action including salary deduction if they go ahead with the agitation. It further directed the Principal Director, Health, Chief Medical Officers and Medical Superintendents in the State not to sanction any leave to any government medical officers or healthcare workers.
Despite the stance, sources informed that the State Government as well as the association is open to a positive conclusion to the ongoing issue. The sources informed that a meeting between the NIDA and State Government is scheduled at the Chief Secretary’s office on April 19 at 2:00pm to deliberate on the issue.
Messages to the Principal Director, Health and Family Welfare remained unanswered till the filing of this report, while an official at the State Control Room could not provide any update on events during day one of the agitation.
