- By Akansha Pandey
- Fri, 05 Dec 2025 03:36 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
A planned indefinite sit-in protest (dharna) by unemployed nursing officers at the Parade Ground was thwarted by the police. The protesters, who arrived in separate groups and raised slogans, were arrested and transported to the designated protest site at Ekta Vihar.
In anticipation of the event organised by the Nursing Ekta Manch, the police had already placed barricades around the Parade Ground. Congress leader Harak Singh Rawat, who arrived at the venue to extend his support to the nursing officers, was also arrested by the police.
Political Support
Expressing his solidarity, Harak Singh Rawat criticised the government for ignoring the contributions of nursing officers who served during the COVID-19 pandemic. He strongly backed their demand for year-wise recruitment.
Key Demands And Grievances
Nawal Pundir, President of the Nursing Ekta Manch, outlined the core issues and demands of the association:
Withdrawal Of Exam Notification: The association demanded the immediate withdrawal of the notification issued by the Uttarakhand Medical Service Selection Board. This notification proposes filling 690 nursing officer posts in the Medical Education and Health Departments through a written examination.
Demand For Year-Wise Recruitment: The protesters are demanding that the recruitment process be conducted year-wise (batch-wise seniority), as was the practice previously.
Age Limit Concerns: Pundir highlighted that due to long delays, many candidates have become overage, while others are nearing the maximum age limit, making them ineligible for current openings.
Issues With Previous Recruitment (2020)
Pundir pointed out flaws in the department's last recruitment drive announced in 2020:
- Several candidates were selected twice.
- Candidates from other states were chosen over locals.
- As a result, many local unemployed nursing officers were deprived of the opportunity.
History Of The Struggle
The association highlighted their long-standing struggle, noting that in 2021, they staged a protest for 134 days at Ekta Vihar. Following that protest, the government issued a notification for 3,000 posts. However, despite several rounds of talks with departmental officials since then, no permanent solution has been found.