Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij has directed the imposition of prohibitory orders under section 144 within two km radius of civil hospitals in the state to facilitate the patients and to ensure better treatment atmosphere.

Vij issued these directions to the officers while presiding over a meeting of health department here today, an official release said. On the issue of strike of National Health Mission workers continuing for nearly a week now, Vij said the government is spending Rs 180 crore per annum on the employees of NHM and most of their demands have already been fulfilled. He said a hike of five per cent and another hike of three per cent have been made in the honorarium of these employees.

Apart from this, approval to give a hike of 14.29 per cent in their honorarium has also been given as per 7th Pay Commission. The minister said that a notice was issued to NHM employees who were proceeding on strike and as a result, most joined their duties. "However, the process has been started to terminate the services of those employees who had not yet joined their duties. New recruitment process is being started to avoid any inconvenience to the patients," he added.