Summary Punjab Health Department has enforced Essential Service Act across the province.
Lahore:- According to Punjab Health Department spokesperson, all the doctors and paramedical staff are bound to do their job in accordance with Essential Service Act.
“The employees who remain absent or refrain from shouldering their responsibilities would be tried in accordance with PIDA Act, and they may be may be sacked as per rule”, said the spokesperson.
The Essential Services (Maintenance) Act 1958 says: “If any person engaged in any employment or class of employment disobeys a lawful order given in the course of such employment or attempts to persuade any person to disobey any such order or without reasonable excuse abandons such employment – without the consent of the Government or the authority – by closing an establishment in which such person is engaged, causes the discontinuance of his employment or discontinues or causes the discontinuance of an essential service, he will be guilty of an offence under this Act.”
It further says: “Any person found guilty of an offence under this Act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year and shall also be liable to a fine.”
Punjab Health Department has released directions to all the principals and Medical Superintendents of teaching as well as DHQ and THQ hospitals.
