Defying the State Government’s threat of invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against them, over 2,000 Government doctors, under the banner of the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA), have since Monday begun a Statewide Satyagraha supported by over 1,000 Junior Doctors, 500 House Surgeons and 1,800 medicos of the three Government-run medical colleges and hospitals.
Former OMSA president Dr Madhusudan Mishra and secretary Dr Kishore Mishra said there has been no cease-work by the doctors in all sub-divisional headquarters hospitals and the doctors there are on duty.
The doctors are wearing Gandhi caps and black badges only after their duty hours to register their protest against the injustices meted out to them by the State Government.
The OMSA leaders also informed that the Government refused the association permission to stage dharna near the PMG Square. The association would continue the Satyagraha till the Government fulfils its demands, they said.
The demands of the association include implementation of Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) for the cadre doctors, transparent transfer policy and equality in service conditions.
On the other hand, the Government appears unmoved by the Satyagraha as the protest action has had minimal effect on the health services. There has been no attempt by the Health Department to have a meeting with the striking doctors till now, sources said.