Doctors to continue agitation despite Mamata’s appeal

Kolkata: The all-wanted solution to the junior doctors-sponsored strike seemed to be a far cry as the agitators once again decided to carry on, stating there was no honest initiative from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Ms Banerjee on Saturday said she spoke to Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi on the ongoing agitation by the junior doctors in the state.

Ms Banerjee commenting on en mass resignation of protesting doctors, said, “Individual resignation is different, mass resignation has no value in law.”

On being asked if she will go to NRS Medical College and Hospital, Ms Banerjee said, “Media won’t decide when I shall go. It’s my prerogative.”

Meanwhile, an urgent appeal has been filed with the Health Minister Harsh Vardhan seeking immediate intervention to stop unlawful nationwide doctors’ strike.

Earlier, Ms Banerjee said she accepted all valid demands of the agitating doctors and urged them to resume work.

Addressing media persons at Nabanna, she said, “We’ve accepted all their demands. I had sent my ministers, principal secy to meet the doctors, waited for five hours to meet doctors delegations yesterday & today, but they did not come. You have to give respect to the constitutional body.”

Ms Banerjee appealed to doctors to resume work, saying, “Attack on doctor unfortunate. The state is fully committed to taking necessary steps.  The State has taken the decision to bear all the expenses of medical treatment of the junior doctor who is admitted at a private hospital.” (UNI)