Cuttack, Oct. 3: Nursing students of SCB Medical College and Hospital today called off their agitation following assurances from the government that their demands would be fulfilled.

“The state health department has assured us that our examination would be conducted on time and our dress allowance would be hiked. We have called off our strike,” said Arajit Mallick, a third-year student.

Mallick said all the students would resume their duties once school opened.

“The students have called off their strike and we will urge the state government officials to open the school soon,” said principal Sulochana Senapati.

Senapati said the government had agreed to raise the uniform allowance from Rs 750 to Rs 1,500. It has sanctioned Rs 4 crore for repair and renovation work of the ladies’ hostel. The students have been asked to submit documents regarding the issue of stipend provided to nursing students in other states. Based on necessary documents, a final decision regarding the hike in their monthly stipend would be taken, the principal said.

Earlier, around 400 students of the School of Nursing of SCB hospital had launched an indefinite strike on their six-point charter of demands, which included hike in their stipend, from September 25.

The state health and family welfare department, on September 29, had ordered to close the nursing school for an indefinite period.

The students have been demanding a stipend, which should be equivalent to the salary of a staff nurse, as they work for around four to six hours at the hospital.

“The authorities have agreed to conduct timely examinations, which will be held in two phases in October 30 and January next year,” said nursing students’ association secretary Seikh Khalil Ullah.