Minister warns striking junior doctors of stern action

Hyderabad, Sept 5: Medical Education Minister Kondru Murali Mohan on Wednesday warned the striking junior doctors of stern action if they do not call off their agitation immediately. 

Talking to media persons at the Government Hospital in Kurnool, Kondru Murali Mohan accused the junior doctors of resorting to blackmail tactics in order to get their demands approved by the State Government. However, he warned that the government would not relent and initiate stern action against them if strike was not called off. 

Stating that the government was spending nearly Rs 60 lakh to Rs one crore on each medical degree and Post Graduate student, he said that it was the responsibility of doctors to serve in rural areas as part of internship programme and to meet the shortage of doctors in those areas. He warned that the government was ready cancel the medical certificate of doctors if they are not ready to serve mandatory one year term in rural areas. 

The Minister said that the government has made alternative arrangements to meet any eventuality in the hospitals, in the wake of junior doctors strike. Apart from seeking legal course of action on striking junior doctors, he said that the government was considering imposing Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), if necessary.

- INN

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