DIMAPUR, JULY 17: With the Nagaland In-Service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) all set to resume agitation from Monday on the superannuation issue; the Government of Nagaland in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 (1) of the Nagaland Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1978 prohibited the call for indefinite cease work by NIDA from July 18 onwards.
In an order issued today, the State Home Department, General Administration Branch-I, said the call given by NIDA for ceasing of work by the doctors employed/deployed in Government health units/facilities from July 18 onwards will seriously impact the delivery of essential health services, thereby putting in grave jeopardy the life and well-being of the people of the State.
Invoking the Nagaland Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1978 to prohibit the call for indefinite cease work by NIDA, the order said no doctor employed/deployed in any Government health unit/facility shall go for agitation or cessation of work, and any such act shall be considered illegal.
The order warned that any doctor employed/deployed in any Government health unit/facility who goes for cessation of work/strike, under Section 4 of Nagaland Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1978 shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both.
The order, issued by Chief Secretary J Alam, warned that any doctor employed/deployed in any Government health unit/facility against whom action is taken under Section 4 of the Nagaland Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1978, shall also be liable to disciplinary action under the relevant service/conduct rules or contractual conditions, as applicable.
The order also gave power to any police officer to arrest without warrant any doctor employed/deployed in any Government health unit/facility, who is reasonably suspected of having committed the illegal act of ceasing work/going on strike under section 8 of the Nagaland Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1978.
“Notwithstanding anything contained in the CrPC, 1973, any police officer may arrest without warrant any doctor employed/deployed in any Government health unit/facility, who is reasonably suspected of having committed the illegal act of ceasing work/going on strike under Section 8 of the Nagaland Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1978”, the order said.
(Page News Service)
