SHILLONG, AUG 3: The three-day hunger strike by over hundreds of malaria programme workers (MPWs) on Wednesday entered its second day. The protest is against the state government’s failure to implement the centre instruction for absorbing them into regular posts.
They have also threatened to launch an indefinite strike if the state government fails to address their grievances.
The hunger strike by the MPWs coming from different districts of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo Hills region under the banner of the All Meghalaya Malaria Programme Workers’ Association (AMMPWA) was held inside the premises of the Deputy Director of Health Services (IM) located at Lawmali, Polo.
Two among the agitating workers have also been hospitalized.
It may be mentioned here for improvement of surveillance and effective implementation of Vector Borne Disease Programme, the centre has allotted contractual MPWs (male) to 17 states which include Meghalaya to be placed at high malaria endemic areas after approval of EPC for 11th plan.
The other states include – Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura which are from the NE region while Andra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odissa, Karnataka, Maharastra, West Bengal, Bihar) and Rajasthan are states falling under World Bank States.
As per letter dated November 25, 2013 to the 17 states, Dr GS Sonal, Additonal Director, National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP) (Directorate General of Health Services), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had stated – “One of the condition of sanction of contractual MPW (male) was that state will fill up the vacant post of regular MPW male so that these contractual MPW in subsequent years can be reduced/withdrawn.”
The letter also stated – “However, considering the slow progress in filling of regular post of MPW (male), the support for engaging contractual MPW (male) were extended on yearly basis after 11th plan period for two more years’ up to 31 March, 2014. It is informed that NVBDCP will not give support for these positions beyond March 31, 2014. Accordingly state may, take appropriate action in this regard.”
According to the agitating MPWs, based on the centre’s direction several representations and meetings were also submitted and held between them and the state government, but unfortunately all end up with fake assurances.
“We were assured in the last meeting held in 2015 with the health minister and his officials that they would put up a proposal to the chief minister, but nothing has come of it till today,” AMMPWA president Jedwin Lyngdoh said.
He also lambasted the health minister AL Hek for alleging that he cannot do anything as he is not holding the finance portfolio and said, “If we do not go to him as he is the head of the health department then where else should we go.”
Stating that this attitude of the government has affected the MPWs which are at present out of jobs due to overage, he said, “If we fail to get any response, we would be compelled to go for an indefinite strike.”
The well-trained MPWs have been working for over four years in assisting the health department to tackle the menace of malaria disease especially in far flung rural areas of the state.
Questioning that how confident is the government that the state is out of danger in as far as the malaria disease is concerned, he said that as per the RTI report it has indicated that there have 15 death cases due to malaria in May.
He also said that the government has all the money to spend on a film festival but has none to ensure that problems of the unemployed youths are addressed.
Stating all they want is for the government to ensure their services is continued and accordingly is regularize, the association president said that this is because the centre has given clear instruction to all the states.
He also said that when neighbouring states like Assam can regularize the post of MPWs why not in Meghalaya.-By Our Reporter
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