Over 6,000 government doctors in Odisha, under the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA), boycotted Outpatient Department (OPD) services for two hours daily from January 5th. This action is part of a movement demanding fulfillment of a 10-point charter, including pay parity with central government employees and filling vacant posts. The state government declared the agitation illegal under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and formed a high-level committee to address the demands. Doctors emphasized the protest is symbolic, with emergency and indoor services unaffected.