Bhubaneswar, 03 July (H.S.): The Odisha Government has adopted a tough stance against the ongoing strike by doctors under the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA), directing authorities to enforce the No Work, No Pay policy and warning of disciplinary action against those continuing the protest.

In a communication issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department, authorities at all government medical college hospitals, Chief District Medical and Public Health Officers (CDM&PHOs), and Public Health Officers (PHOs) have been instructed to withhold the salaries of Odisha Medical and Health Services (OMHS) cadre doctors participating in the strike.

The department has also directed concerned authorities to issue notices to contractual doctors abstaining from duty and, if they fail to resume work, initiate action to disengage them in accordance with existing norms.

Earlier in the day, the state government appealed to the protesting doctors to immediately withdraw their agitation, return to duty, and participate in discussions with the administration. Reiterating that uninterrupted patient care remains its highest priority, the government assured that all genuine demands raised by the doctors would be considered once they resume services.

Doctors across Odisha, under the banner of OMSA, have been on strike since July 1 in support of a 10-point charter of demands. Their key demands include implementation of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme in line with the Central Government pay structure from the date of eligibility, proportionate cadre restructuring, and enhanced financial incentives for super-specialists, specialists, diploma holders, and administrators.

The association has also sought postmortem allowance, implementation of a three-year exit policy for doctors serving in KBK and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) areas, construction of Capital Hospital-II in Bhubaneswar, strengthening of safety and security measures through amendments to the Odisha Medicare Act, regularisation of ad hoc doctors, and comprehensive health insurance coverage for all healthcare personnel.

The standoff between the government and the striking doctors continues, with healthcare services in several government hospitals affected as both sides remain firm on their respective positions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda