According to Kamal Vayikole, general secretary of the Nurses Federation, Central government employees get higher nursing allowances than state government nurses. There is also disparity in uniform allowances and washing allowances, the federation said.

While state employees get Rs 50 as nursing allowance, Central employees get Rs 250. Washing allowance is Rs 150 for Central employees, while it's Rs 30 for state nurses. Other allowances such as special allowances and risk allowances should also be granted on par with Central government employees, the federation has demanded.

The federation has also demanded that the uniform for nurses be changed from the white frock, cap, belt and badges to a camel-coloured salwar kameez and a white apron.

Government nurses are also demanding that the nurse-patient ratio be followed according to theNursing Council's recommendations.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Daulatrao Aher has appealed to the Federation to call off the proposed strike. Aher, in a statement, informed the state government was looking into their demands and would expeditiously resolve the matter.

He said a committee headed by a former minister, which had been set up to study the demand for change in the colour of nurses uniform, had submitted its report today. However, a decision was not taken as representatives of the Nurses Federation were not present at a meeting scheduled today, he added.