Jharkhand health workers to boycott Shrawani Mela duty

SUBHASH MISHRA

Ranchi, June 26: Over 1,600 Multi-Purpose Health Workers (MPWs) in Jharkhand have announced a boycott of duties at the upcoming Deoghar-Basukinath Shrawani Mela, protesting against the government’s failure to address their longstanding demands, including regularization of services.

Announcing the agitation plan, Jharkhand MPW Employees Association president Pawan Kumar said that a phased protest will begin on July 4. All MPWs across the state will wear black badges and demonstrate from July 4 to 6 in support of their demands.

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Mass Leave, Hunger Strike Planned

The association has also called for a mass leave on July 7 and 8, during which MPWs will observe a two-day hunger strike. “If the government still fails to respond, we will gherao the office of the Additional Chief Secretary (Health) on July 11,” said Kumar.

He added that the employees will not participate in the month-long Shrawani Mela duty scheduled from July 11 to August 9 unless their pending travel and daily allowances (TA/DA) from 2016 to 2024 are paid. “We will take up our duties only after full payment of the dues,” he asserted.

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Key Demand: Job Regularization

The main demand of the association is the regularization of MPWs’ services. “The file is pending before the state cabinet. We demand that the objections raised by the finance department and others be cleared immediately so the process can move forward,” said Kumar.

The Jharkhand State Non-Gazetted Employees Federation has also extended its support to the MPW agitation. Association general secretary Mangal Hembram said, “All 1,600 employees are united. This time, we are determined to fight till the end.”

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