Striking employees in Uttar Pradesh hit medical services

Health minister Ahmad Hasan said the state government will not, under any circumstances, give in to the unjust demands of the state employees.



The Akhilesh Yadav-led government is also mulling invoking of ESMA (Essential Services Maintenance Act).

Rajiv Kumar, principal secretary (Appointments) said while efforts were on to "make striking employees see reason and return to work, the option of ESMA was wide open".

Principal secretary (Health) Pravir Kumar said alternate arrangements were being made to ensure that the strike does not affect medical services in the state-run hospitals and medical facilities.

A government spokesman, meanwhile, also rejected reports that there were any financial losses owing to the ongoing strike.

Principal secretary (Commercial Tax) Beeresh Kumar said since the revenue collection was largely online and e-payment facilities were available, there was no revenue loss to the government due to the strike.