Haryana invokes ESMA, healthcare workers can't protest for 6 months
Amid the rising cases of Covid-19, Haryana has invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), thereby banning strikes by healthcare workers for six months. This was stated by Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Tuesday.
Taking to Twitter, Anil Vij said, “ESMA has been implemented in Haryana, now health workers will not be able to go on strike for six months. This step has been taken after a group of doctors went on strike to obstruct the prevention of Covid-19”
Amid rising Covid-19 cases, the Haryana Government has imposed fresh Covid-19 restrictions in the state, including ban on large congregations such as rallies and protests. The order was issued by the Haryana State Disaster Management Authority (HSDMA), which says that the restrictions will be applicable till 5 am on January 19. The eight new districts in Haryana where the restrictions will be applicable are Sirsa, Rewari, Jind, Fatehabad, Mahendergarh, Kaithal, Bhiwani and Hisar. Restrictions in Karnal, Panipat, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ambala, Panchkula and Sonepat are already imposed from before.हरियाणा में एस्मा लागू कर दिया गया है, अब 6 महीने तक हड़ताल नहीं कर सकेंगे स्वास्थ्य कर्मी । यह कदम करोना की रोकथाम में बाधा डालने के लिए डॉक्टरों के एक समूह द्वारा हड़ताल पर चले जाने के कारण उठाया गया है । — ANIL VIJ MINISTER HARYANA (@anilvijminister) January 11, 2022
Also Read | Covid-19: India sees drop in positivity rate; Omicron case tally at 4,461
What is Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA)?
TheEssential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) is an act of Parliament, which was established to ensure the delivery of certain services, which if obstructed would affect the normal life of the people. This include services like public transport (bus services) and health services (doctors and hospitals).
Also read | Delhi orders closure of private offices; Here's list of those exempted
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Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij[/caption]
-PTC News 
