Imphal, March 10, 2010: The State government today prohibited cease work strike launched by the employees of the JN Hospital and asked to return to normal working with immediate effect.

Two orders issued separately by the Manipur Secretariat signed by Chief Secretary, DS Poonia and state home department signed by Deputy Home Secretary (home) today notified on the prohibition on learning that non-gazette staff like the nurses, technical section, grade-III and IV employees have launched cease work strike with effect from March 9. Meanwhile, director of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Ahenthem Dwijamani today said that even though non-gazetted staffs of the hospital, hospital service was not affected as doctors and gazetted officers are discharging their duties and OPD and Casualty were also opened.

The government notification by Chief Secretary circulated today stated that it is come to the notice of the government that the Non-gazetted Employees Welfare Association of JN Hospital have resorted to cease work strike with effect from March 10 demanding sanction of 6th Pay Commission's recommendation.

"This action has put the lives of patients in jeopardy.

The JN Hospital, Porompat under the government of Manipur stands already transferred to the JNIMS run by a society.

The cease work strike is, therefore, uncalled for," the notification noted down directing employees to re-join their respective duties immediately but not later than 10 am of March 11.Government has taken up the step as employees of other government healthcare centres like the Primary Health Centres, Sub-Centre and Community Health Centres are also likely to join the cease work strike.

Suitable administrative action will be initiated against those employees who fail to do so under section 3(1) of the Manipur Essential Service Maintenance Act, 1984 and in accordance with section 3(4) as notified already by the government, it warned.

The cease work strike has dislocated the "essential service" as outlined under section 2(a)(iii) of the Manipur Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1984 and connected with the maintenance of public health and thereby posing serious hazards to health and endangering the life of the public, the order prohibiting the cease work strike issued by the state home department said.

Under section 3(1) of the same Act in accordance with section 3(4) joining or launching of strike by employees of essential service is "illegal".

The order issued today by the home department will remain in force for a period of six months from the date of issue.

On the other hand, the director of JNIMS, A Dwijamani in a briefing to reporters at his office chamber expressed dissatisfied with the inconveniences caused to the patients due to the cease work strike by the non-gazzeted employees.

However, he said the hospital services were not disturbed by the strike.

Authority has also taken up alternative arrangements to mend up the shortage manpower in the hospital.

The authority contacted 48 nurses on payment of daily wages, called out 14 technicians from the National Rural Health Mission.

As adequate manpower has been arranged there would no problem in hospital services, he added.

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