Stern but cautious state govt again calls docs for talkathon

As in-service government doctors’ strike in the state entered the sixth day 6, on Saturday, the state government is continuing its efforts to break deadlock by inviting leaders of striking doctors for talks. Meanwhile, the government claimed that many doctors have resumed their duties on Saturday.

The government has invited All Rajasthan In-Service Doctors Association (ARISDA), the body under which doctors are agitating, for talks with health minister. “The meeting with a five-member delegation of ARISDA will be held at 2pm on Sunday,” health minister Kalicharan Saraf said.

“From the government side, along with me, ACS finance, commissioner home, principal secretary health, secretary medical education and secretary finance will be there in the meeting,” said Saraf. It is worth mentioning that previous three rounds of talks produced no results.

According to government officials, around 100 striking doctors have resumed their duties at hospitals in Jaipur, Ajmer, Dausa, Sikar, Rajsamand, Churu, Jalore, Barmer, Baran, Pali and Suratgarh. Saraf said that district collectors were given power to appoint new doctors at a salary of Rs 56,000 a month. “On urgent basis 24 doctors have been appointed under the scheme,” said Saraf. In Kanwatiya hospital of Jaipur, 11 doctors reported for work on …read more