5,000 AIIMS Nurses Take Mass Leave To Demand Hike in Wages

The wage and allowance proposal has now been sent to the Health Ministry for consideration.

Image used for representational purpose. (Photo Courtesy: Reuters)

Almost 5,000 nurses at AIIMS went on a mass casual leave on 17 March to protest the alleged discrimination in the implementation of the Seventh Central Pay Commission.

The nurses have demanded a revision in their pay scales. They have also sought that their nursing allowances be enhanced by Rs 7,800.

A senior nurse said:

We have clearly told the administration that if our entire pay grade is not enhanced from Rs 4,600 to Rs 5,400 then we will go on indefinite strike from 27 March onwards.

According to the AIIMS authorities, the nurses’ proposal has been sent to the Health Ministry for consideration.

Meanwhile, the operation theatres in the medical institute are only holding emergency surgeries. The hospital authorities are “doing their best to ensure minimum discomfort to in-house patients and that all support services are functioning,” The Hindu reported.

(With IANS inputs.)