​​​​​​​Bhubaneswar, Jan 6: With the mass strike of Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA), Odisha government on Tuesday imposed the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) for six months.

As per imposition of the ESMA, the doctors are not allowed to carry out any strikes or mass protests hampering emergency health services for the next six months.

The Home Department issued notification in this connection today.

According to the notification, enforcing ESMA in connection with doctors’ protests will remain effective for a period of six months, beginning tomorrow.

"Whereas the State Government are satisfied that in the interest of Public, it is necessary to prohibit strikes in the form of cessation of work by the Doctors, Nursing officers, Pharmacy officers, other Paramedics, Technicians, class-III and Class-IV employees etc. including contractual employees in services/ engagements connected with maintenance of medical services in the Government Hospitals and Dispensaries in the State like District Head Quarters Hospitals, Sub- Divisional Hospitals, Area Hospitals, Community Health Center, Primary Health Centers, Municipality Hospitals etc. including Medical Colleges and Hospitals run by Government and other autonomous Health Institutions receiving Grant-in aid from State Government, specifically AHRCC, Regional Spinal Injury Centre including Jail Hospitals, Police Hospitals etc. so that health care delivery system in the State is not affected / disrupted," read the notification issued by the Home Department under Odisha Government.

"Now, therefore, in exercise of the power conferred by sub-section (1) of Section-3 read with Section-2 of the Odisha Essential Services (Maintenance) Act 1988 (Odisha Act 9 of 1992), the State Government do hereby prohibit strikes in the aforesaid services. The order shall remain in force for a period of six months with effect from the date of issue," the notification further read.

Worth mentioning, OPD services remain stalled for two hours a day, due to the state-wide indefinite strike of government doctors, called by the OMSA.