In a major decision, the YSR Congress party government in Andhra Pradesh led by chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday invoked Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) on public and private hospitals, sanitation, civil supplies and several other services for a period of six months.
The orders were issued by special chief secretary of medical and health K S Jawahar Reddy.
The decision was taken in the wake of the ongoing crisis arising out of increasing number of Coronavirus positive cases over the last four days.
As per the orders, no strikes will be allowed in the departments where the ESMA is invoked.
The employees cannot even go on leave or abstain from work under this act. Nobody working in the specified areas can refuse to render services for six months under the Act.
The order said ESMA is applicable to all health facilities, doctors, nurses and health personnel.
Sanitation workers in health facilities, Purchase, maintenance and transport of medical equipment, sale, transport and manufacturing of medicines and drugs, ambulance services, water and electricity supply, security related services, food and drinking water provision and management and bio medical waste management also fall under this category.
