Nimhans staff agitate over unmet demands

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Nimhans) is witnessing an atmosphere of chaos yet again, as the staff at the institute have expressed dissatisfaction over several issues.

On Friday, hundreds of members belonging to the Nimhans Employees Association gathered in front of the office of the director, Dr B N Gangadhar, with various demands pertaining to the functioning of the institute and creation of posts.

A source at the institute said that the “gate meeting” was held after several of their issues remained unaddressed even after they had a meeting in June last year.

The association members have sought that various changes be brought about in the functioning and staff responsibilities as per the standards maintained by every other Institute of National Importance in India.

They have demanded that the vacant posts at the institute be filled with immediate effect. “Creation and filling up of various posts of nursing personnel as per SIU norms,” is among the demands. The Staff Inspection Unit (SIU) is the one which has recommended the nursing norms that are to be maintained at all central government institutes.

Pay hike is another demand. The members have sought the implementation of the revised Grade Pay of Rs 2,400 and Rs 4,200 on completion of 20 and 28 years respectively, for hospital or office assistants.

In line with norms for the Institutes of National Importance, they have also asked for designation changes. The staff have sought that the nomenclature of hierarchical posts of technical and nursing staff be on a par with other institutes.

It may be recollected that at the previous year’s meeting, the staff had complained that they were overworked and that the vacancies had to be filled immediately. The association has now sought a five-day week working schedule.

Citing a very poor ratio of staff to patients in Nimhans, the association has asked the management to ensure that the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers standards be adhered to.

Director B N Gangadhar said, “I have to work well within the government framework. I am working for my colleagues. I am sympathetic to some of their demands. However, this is not a civil way to address the issue.”