Dehradun: The Uttarakhand health department has formally forwarded the demands of the Nursing Ekta Manch (NEM) to the state government, prompting the organization to suspend its five-month-long agitation for one month. The breakthrough came after protesters, some of whom had climbed a water tank at Parade Ground in a desperate bid to be heard, agreed to step down following administrative assurance.
Core Demand: Year-Wise Merit-Based Recruitment
At the heart of the protest is a demand for nursing recruitments to be completed on a year-wise merit basis rather than through competitive examinations. In a letter issued by the director general of health and family welfare, Sunita Tamta, the department sought a policy decision on recruitment. The letter stated that under the 2015 rules, appointments were based on diploma/degree marks and professional work experience. However, amendments in 2020 shifted the process to written examinations. Further, the 2022 amendment allowing year-wise recruitment was a temporary arrangement for the 2022-23 selection cycle and that the issue now required a decision from the state government.
Additional Demands and Next Steps
NEM is also demanding a mandatory two-year clinical experience for future recruitments and stricter action against healthcare staff found negligent in patient care. NEM president Naval Pundeer said, “We have put our protest on hold for one month. While everyone has climbed down from the water tank, our tent remains in Ekta Vihar with a few representatives on-site. If we feel no concrete action is being taken toward meeting our demands, we will resume the agitation.”
About the Author: Prashasti Singh, a Dehradun-based journalist focused on human-interest stories that link local issues to wider national conversations. She covers developments across genres, with a special interest in civic issues, education, and the environment.
