Even as the Nagaland In-Service Doctors Association (NIDA) has called for mass casual leave from April 18-20, 2022 to demand increase in superannuation age from 60 to 62 years, the state government has ordered that no one would be granted casual leave for the aforementioned period.
The government has warned that any resort to illegal means of agitation would be viewed seriously and besides deduction of salary on the principle of ‘No work, no pay,’ the participants would also be liable to disciplinary action for grave violation of Conduct Rules.
Further, the government has warned that the participants in the strike/agitation would also be liable for appropriate action under provisions of the law.
According to a DIPR report, the state chief secretary said that extensive deliberations have been held by the government with NIDA and other stakeholders over the issue. The chief secretary stated that the matter has also been considered by the government at the highest level.
However, since there was lack of consensus on either of the alternative options amongst NIDA and other stakeholders, the chief secretary said further deliberations have been directed to be held. The committee under the chairmanship of chief secretary is holding the deliberations.
The chief secretary cited Rule 25 of the Nagaland Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1968 that prohibits Government Servants from participating in any form of strike, including mass casual leave or in any way abet any form of strike.
Stating that there was no statutory provision empowering the employees to go on strike, the chief sectary pointed out that the Supreme Court has also in several judgements agreed that going on strike was a grave misconduct under the Conduct Rules and should be dealt with, in accordance with the law.
The chief secretary also stated that maintenance of public health and sanitation including hospitals and dispensaries were essential services under the Nagaland Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1978. However, the proposed mass casual leave was likely to cause severe disruption in medical care/public health services and was, therefore, liable to endanger the lives, health and security of the people of the State.
The chief secretary warned that such act would tantamount to violating the provisions of the Act and invite penal action.
The state government has, therefore, directed the principal director, H&FW not to approve casual leave of any officers during the period mentioned above, and if already granted, the approval be recalled/revoked.
Further, the principal director, H&FW has been directed to issue directions to all CMOs/MSs/controlling officers in the district/sub-district/hospital level not to approve casual leave of any officers during the period (April 18-20, 2022), and if already granted, to recall/revoke the same.
The deputy commissioners (DC) of the respective districts have been directed to ensure that the chief medical officers and the medical superintendents and their subordinate officers follow the directions, and in case of any violation, submit reports on the matter to the government through the commissioner forthwith for further action.
Monday, April 13, 2026