Nurses protesting at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park since Monday for equal pay have temporarily called off their agitation following an assurance from Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Days after TOI highlighted their plight, Rao visited the demonstrators, who are part of the Karnataka State Contractual Nursing Officers Employees Welfare Association. He acknowledged that salary revisions require central government approval, as the National Health Mission (NHM) is jointly run by the Centre and State. However, he promised that NHM nurses would receive priority through merit points in recruitment.

Rao assured them that the government’s decision will be announced on March 10. Association President Radhasuresh PS confirmed that the protest is paused for now, but will resume if their demands are not addressed.