Prolonged grievance leads to road block by Batinda hospital employees

A group of civil hospital workers in Batinda blocked a major thoroughfare on August 26, citing a four‑year backlog of unaddressed demands. Their checklist features equal remuneration for comparable duties, an across‑the‑board salary increase, immediate gratuity payment and the formal appointment of temporary staff as regular employees.

The protestors also called for the shutdown of district "Aam Aadmi" clinics, alleging insufficient facilities and a breach of the government's pledge to regularise contract workers.

Long‑term employee Ranjit Kaur warned that continued inaction would force the staff to expand their protests beyond the hospital premises. She accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of providing only empty guarantees.

NHM representative Avnish Kumar pointed out that the promises made during the 2022 electoral campaign have not materialised, leaving staff facing intimidation and threats to abandon the strike.

Representatives from various hospital divisions, including technical and non‑technical cadres, joined the demonstration, underscoring the depth of the discontent.