By IANS,
Bhopal: Health services in all the five medical colleges of Madhya Pradesh were affected as the junior doctors went on an indefinite strike Monday to press their demand for a hike in stipend and reduction in the post-graduation fees.
“All the 1,500 junior doctors of the five medical colleges of the state went on indefinite strike from Monday morning pressing for their various demands,” Madhya Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (MPJDA) president K.K. Prajapati told IANS.
The main demands of the striking junior doctors include a hike in stipend and reduction in the post-graduation fees.
“We want the present stipend of Rs.16,000, Rs.16,500 and Rs.17,000 to be increased to Rs.30,000 like in other medical colleges including in New Delhi,” Prajapati said.
Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Anup Mishra has warned the striking junior doctors to return to work or face action.
“The government would take strict action against the striking junior doctors which would include their rustication and cancellation of their registration,” Mishra told reporters.
The state government has also said in an official release that that the stipend of junior doctors has been revised thrice in the past six years with the last hike being given last year itself.
“Despite this, the proposal to hike the stipend is under consideration,” the release said.
“As far as the issue of post-graduation fee is concerned, it was fixed at Rs.35,000 annually with the consent of the students and hence, rolling it back is not justified.”