Indefinite strike by nurses in Uttarakhand

Dehradun, June 15 (ANI): Nurses of the state-run hospitals in Uttarakhand went on an indefinite strike over delay in pay hike.

The nurses have threatened to go on a hunger strike unless their demands for a pay equivalent to those receiving in New Delhi.

"For the last one year and half we had been asking for a pay increase but the authorities just don't pay attention to it. That is the reason we have to take this step. We try to be peaceful but it is seen as a sign of weakness. In the time of inflation today, we need to get more pay. When our job is same as the some done by our colleagues in New Delhi then why is there a difference in pay," said Balbir Mishra, president nurses association.

Patients, who cannot afford treatment in private hospital said they find themselves at the receiving end.

"It is paining, no injection, no medicines, it is difficult for us," said Sushma Devi, a patient.he authorities said they have asked the employees to get back to work as they try to sort the problem.

"We appeal to them that they call of the strike and join work. We are trying to sort the matter," said P L Joshi, Director General Health, Dehradun. (ANI)