Nursing students protest at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Telegraph picture

Cuttack, Sept. 28: The ongoing agitation by nursing students has hit administrative work at the SCB Medical College and Hospital here.

The students, who launched an indefinite strike four days ago, today gheraoed the office of the hospital superintendent, D.N. Moharana, urging him to accept their six-point charter of demands. Not a single hospital staff member was allowed to enter Moharana’s office, as a result of which official work suffered. However, patients did not suffer.

Over 400 students of the hospital’s school of nursing are also on a ceasework agitation since yesterday, alleging neglect on part of authorities in addressing their grievances, which includes a hike in their monthly stipend. They suspended all the classes.

“The authorities have not called us for any dialogue so far,” said Madhusmita Das, a student. They are demanding that their current monthly stipend be raised.

“We should get at least 60 per cent of the salary of a staff nurse,” they said, while seeking a hike in the dress allowance from Rs 750 to Rs 1,500.

“We were forced to launch the strike as the authorities have not initiated any step towards fulfilment of our long-standing demands,” said Seikh Kahililulla, secretary of student nurses’ association.

They alleged that there had been an inordinate delay in conduct of the board examination, which has also resulted in the delay in publication of their results, issuance of marksheet and registration number.

Besides hike in stipend, the students are also demanding immediate renovation of the ladies hostel that has become unsafe for lack of repair work. A student was injured on September 15 after a piece of plaster from the ceiling fell on her hand.