Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Odisha invokes ESMA on striking doctors
Doctors in Odisha were protesting by not seeing patients for two hours each day because they want to be paid the same as doctors working for the central government and other demands like filling vacant posts.
The state government said this was disrupting healthcare, so they used a special law called ESMA to stop the protest for six months.
The doctors' union is upset because they feel the government is not listening to their demands.
The law affects many hospitals and health centers in Odisha, including big ones and smaller clinics.
Emergency services, inpatient care, and surgeries have continued uninterrupted.
Over 6,000 doctors in Odisha are protesting with a two-hour OPD boycott.
The Odisha government invoked the Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1988 (ESMA) to prohibit the strike for six months.
Doctors are demanding revised pay at par with the Central pay structure and filling of vacant posts.
The OMSA condemned the government's move, calling it an autocratic decision.
Emergency services, inpatient care, and surgeries have continued uninterrupted despite the boycott.
- Who
- Over 6,000 doctors in Odisha under the Odisha Medical Service Association (OMSA)
- What
- Two-hour OPD boycott and subsequent invocation of ESMA
- When
- From December 26, with the ESMA order effective from Tuesday
- Where
- Government-run hospitals and health institutions across Odisha
- Why
- Doctors demanding revised pay at par with Central pay structure and other demands, government invoking ESMA to maintain healthcare services
Doctors' Union (OMSA)
Odisha Government
Strike Justification
Doctors' Union (OMSA)
Doctors are protesting to demand revised pay at par with the Central pay structure and other demands like filling vacant posts.
Odisha Government
The government invoked ESMA to maintain essential healthcare services and prevent disruption.
Government's Action
Doctors' Union (OMSA)
The OMSA condemned the government's move, calling it an autocratic decision.
Odisha Government
The government believes the strike disrupts healthcare services and is necessary to invoke ESMA to ensure uninterrupted services.
- Doctors Involved
- Over 6,000
- Strike Duration
- Two-hour OPD boycott
- Act Invoked
- Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1988 (ESMA)
- Duration of Prohibition
- Six months
- Demand of Doctors
- Revised pay at par with Central pay structure and filling of vacant posts
- Affected Institutions
- Government hospitals, dispensaries, medical colleges, and autonomous health institutions
- Emergency Services
- Continued uninterrupted
- Agitation Duration
- Ongoing since November
Sources
Odisha govt invokes OESMA on striking doctors
Odisha govt imposes ESMA as doctors continue OPD boycott stir
Odisha govt imposes ESMA as doctors continue OPD boycott stir
Odisha govt doctors boycott OPD service for 2 hours as part of protest movement