Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra

Bhadrak: Several paramedical staff in the district who were hired during the Covid-19 pandemic and have now been terminated resorted to a novel demonstration by begging in public in the city on Saturday.

They were found begging and sloganeering in the streets demanding the State government to reinstate them.

As per reports, the State government had engaged hundreds of paramedical staff on contractual basis to join the battle against Covid-19. The official order of the Health and Family Welfare department mentioned that these engagements will be temporary-- for a period of three months only-- in view of the emergency situation arising due to the pandemic.

“We were continued in our service for almost 10 months by sacrificing our old profession because of the newly assigned duty. But we were retrenched once the pandemic receded. We are finding it hard to go back to our old profession now. It has become difficult for us to make both our ends meet. We have no option left but beg,” said Aswini Padhy, a paramedical professional.

“We have been requesting the district administration to allow our reengagement. But none has paid heed to our demands,” alleged Padhy.

The Covid warriors alleged they feel betrayed. They have also threatened to continue begging in the streets until the State government came up with a concrete decision on their job.

“Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had lauded the contribution of paramedical staff several times. But now the government has forgotten our contribution completely,” rued another protestor.

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