Nurses Call Off Stir on Government Assurance to Regularise 1,000 Contract Nurses in Phase I
Highlighting the government’s track record, Subramanian noted that under the previous regime, only 1,871 of the 6,395 contract nurses appointed in 2015 were regularised between 2015 and 2020.
Chennai: The government has decided to regularise 1,000 contract nurses in the first phase, with the remaining nurses to be absorbed into permanent service in a phased manner. Following this assurance, the contract nurses agreed to call off their ongoing protest, health and family welfare minister Ma. Subramanian has announced.
The decision comes after a series of discussions held with representatives of contract nurses’ associations on December 19, 22 and 24, on the instructions of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
After the initial talks, the matter was placed before the Chief Minister, who advised further consultations to arrive at a solution.
Addressing mediapersons after the final round of talks, the minister said pending promotions would be expedited and new posts created to facilitate the permanent appointment of nurses currently serving on contract basis. As a result, over 1,000 nurses will be absorbed into permanent posts in the near future, he said.
Highlighting the government’s track record, Subramanian noted that under the previous regime, only 1,871 of the 6,395 contract nurses appointed in 2015 were regularised between 2015 and 2020. In contrast, since the DMK government assumed office in 2021, 4,825 contract nurses have been made permanent in a phased manner over the last four-and-a-half years, including 1,693 nurses in 2024 alone.
The Minister also outlined promotions granted during this period, including 1,998 nurses elevated to nursing superintendent grade-II, 465 to grade-I, and 62 to nursing tutor grade-II.
Reiterating the government’s focus on nurses’ welfare, Subramanian said steps were under way to provide paid maternity leave for contract nurses through the National Health Mission, with a government order to be issued soon.
He added that appointment orders for the remaining Covid pandemic contract nurses would be expedited, and assured that pending salary hikes, enhanced from Rs. 14,000 to Rs. 18,000 in 2021, would be released without delay.
Accepting the government’s decision, the contract nurses agreed to withdraw their protest, bringing the agitation to an end.
