Bhubaneswar: The Orissa government on Saturday threatened to impose the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and cancel the registration of government doctors if they went ahead with their proposed state-wide strike from Sunday.
"We will impose ESMA if the doctors go on with their proposed strike," Suresh Mohapatra, the health secretary said.
"We are also consulting the law department on whether the registration of doctors can be cancelled if they go ahead with the strike," he added.
The Orissa Medical Services Association (OMSA) announced that they would cease work from Sunday, demanding the implementation of Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) - a time-bound promotion scheme.
The strike call was announced after the state government transferred 159 doctors, including office bearers of OSMA. The association deems it as a `punitive measure` to scuttle their demand.
IANS
