Defying the Punjab government’s imposition of the Essential Services (Maintenance) Act (ESMA), nursing staff across the state launched a strike on Thursday demanding restoration of the Rs 4,600 grade pay, with services hit in several government medical colleges.At Government Medical College (GMC), nurses boycotted all routine medical services, attending only emergency cases. The strike call was given by the United Nurses Association of Punjab, which has been pressing for the grade pay restoration for nearly five years.In a press note issued on March 25, association president Ramanjit Singh Gill said Punjab nurses were being paid less than their counterparts in other states despite similar responsibilities and workload. He termed the demand long-pending and legitimate, and warned of intensifying the agitation if the government fails to respond positively.The protest has impacted services in medical colleges, including those in Amritsar, Patiala and Mohali, with patients facing inconvenience due to suspension of OPD assistance, ward duties and elective care support. However, emergency services, including critical care, remain functional as nurses continue to report for urgent duties.The development comes a day after the state government invoked ESMA, prohibiting nursing staff and other essential medical personnel from going on strike or abstaining from duties. The order warned of strict penal action against violators, citing the need to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services and safeguard public health.Despite the warning, nursing unions have decided to press ahead with their agitation, accusing the government of ignoring repeated representations. “We have waited for years. If no concrete decision is taken, the protest will be intensified and the responsibility will lie with the government,” the association stated.