Himachal HC gets tough against striking ambulance staff

A day after drivers and technicians of the 108 Ambulance Service were restrained from going on strike, the Himachal Pradesh High Court on Thursday summoned government officials to explain the action taken against the erring employees.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Sandeep Sharma observed that "we are assured that all authorities, including the District Magistrate(s) and Superintendent(s) of Police shall effectively enforce the provisions of the Essential Services Maintenance Act.

"Let the Deputy Commissioner of Shimla and the Superintendent of Police remain present in the court on August 10."

The court was apprised, among others, by Advocate General Ashok Sharma that despite the court's order on August 8, the employees have not resumed work.

The bench impleaded Bikramjeet Saini, Puran Chand and Dinesh Kaushik, who are the President, General Secretary and Cashier respectively of the Jeewan Rakshak Bharatiya Ambulance Karmchari Federation NHM Delhi, as the respondents for instigating the employees not to join their duty.

A day earlier, the court cautioned that any violation of the order of going to the strike would amount to contempt of court. It clarified that the court would not hesitate in taking any strict action against the erring employees.

But the judges said: "We are of the considered view that simultaneously, genuine grievances of such persons must be addressed."

--IANS

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