Nursing aspirants mark 200 days of protest, expand stir to Haldwani

Dehradun: The Nursing Ekta Manch’s (NEM) agitation over pending recruitment issues entered its 200th day on Monday, with protesters expanding the movement to Haldwani while continuing their sit-in in Dehradun.The protesters resumed their dharna on June 15 after suspending it for a month after the state govt’s assurances. On May 13, the govt had sought time to examine their demands, but nursing aspirants returned to the protest site after the deadline elapsed without any resolution. The parallel sit-in at Buddha Park in Haldwani drew around 100 nursing aspirants from the Kumaon region.The agitation centres on NEM’s demand that nursing recruitments be conducted on a year-wise merit basis instead of through competitive examinations.

The organisation is also seeking a mandatory two-year clinical experience requirement for future recruitments and stricter action against healthcare personnel found negligent in patient care.In May, the health department formally forwarded the organisation’s demands to the state govt for a policy decision, noting that recruitment rules had undergone changes over the years.NEM president Naval Pundeer said protesters met health minister Sobodh Uniyal on Friday and held discussions with other senior officials, including the additional chief secretary, over the past week.

However, they have yet to receive a clear timeline for addressing their demands.“We met the minister and were told that the matter is under consideration. But no timeline has been given. We have also spoken to other senior officials, but to no avail. That is why we are intensifying the protest,” he said.The agitation briefly escalated in May when several nursing aspirants climbed a water tank at Parade Ground before suspending the protest after receiving assurances from the administration. Protesters maintain that the agitation will continue and expand across the state unless the govt announces a decision on their demands.