Nagpur, 24 July

(HS): The strike by nursing staff across Maharashtra has been withdrawn

temporarily as MLA Pravin Darekar assured to arrange a meeting of their leaders

with the Chief Minister within two days, and directed the staff to issue a letter

relating to the assurances given by the Public Health Minister Hasan Mushrif.

Following a

discussion with Mushrif, the nurses’ union refused to withdraw the strike unless

a letter was physically handed over to it. Mushrif had accepted their demands

and made a positive decision regarding their demands. Darekar talked to the

union leaders on Thursday and assured a meeting with the Chief Minister,

following which the strike was withdrawn.

The demands

include time-bound promotion, withdrawal of contractual employment, and withdrawal of

action against those on probation.

Many planned

surgeries were postponed because of the strike by the nurses in government

hospitals in Maharashtra. The strike continued for about a week.

The nursing

staff will report on duties on July 25.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar