JIPMER employees continue strike

Pondicherry, Sep 12: Ignoring the second warning issued by the Director of Disciplinary Action, the employees of the centrally administered JIPMER hospital continued their indefinite strike for the fifth day today, disrupting health services in the hospital.

The employees launched their stir on Friday to protest against the Centre's move to convert JIPMER into an autonomous institution for which the Union Cabinet had given approval.

The striking employees held talks with a delegation from the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry and also with the Director.

However, no settlement was reached as the employees were firm that the strike would be called off only after the Cabinet revoked its decision.

The striking employees continued their dharna in front of the JIPMER reception counter.

The strike had adversely affected the poor patients from different parts of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, following which there was heavy rush at the Government General hospital here.

Almost all the in patients had already deserted the hospital.

UNI