SUBHASH MISHRA
Ranchi, Nov 5: Multi-Purpose Health Workers (MPWs) across Jharkhand have announced that they will gherao the residence of Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari on November 11, accusing him of providing false information regarding the approval of their service regularization file.
According to the Jharkhand Rajya MPW Karmchari Sangh (JRMPWKS), Dr. Ansari had claimed on October 14 that he had already signed the file related to the formulation of the service regularization manual. However, senior officials in the Health Department later informed the association that the file was still pending at the minister’s residence.
17 Years of Service Without Regularization
Over 1,566 MPWs have been serving in the state’s health department since 2008. Despite 17 years of continuous service, their positions have not been regularized. The association has repeatedly urged the government to frame a service manual and grant them permanent status.
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JRMPWKS state president Pawan Kumar and general secretary Mangal Hembram said that a delegation of the association had met the minister at his residence on October 14 to request that the file be moved forward.
“The health minister informed us that he had already signed the file. He even mentioned it on Facebook Live. However, this information has proven false. Therefore, all 1,566 MPWs have decided to gherao his residence on November 11,” they stated.
Appeal to Chief Minister for Intervention
The association has also appealed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren to fulfill his earlier announcement of regularizing the services of MPWs, which he made during public meetings in various districts. “We once again urge Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari to forward the service manual for approval and avoid unnecessary agitation within the health department,” the leaders said.
The Jharkhand State Non-Gazetted Employees Federation has extended its support to the MPWs’ protest, demanding that the government immediately address their long-pending demand for service regularization.
