Over 3,500 resident doctors in Maharashtra, after wresting a 48-per cent hike in their monthly stipend from the government, on Tuesday called off their week long strike.
According to Akash Khobragade, spokesperson for the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), the government finally agreed to hike the stipend to Rs 22,000 per medico per month from the existing Rs 15,000.
"The strike has been called off with immediate effect. We shall hold a MARD general body meeting later on Tuesday that will decide when we resume our normal duties," Khobragade told IANS.
Last Saturday, the government had offered a hike of Rs 6,000 per month per resident doctor which the MARD had rejected.
Following this, the state government hardened its stance and initiated proceedings to cancel the post-graduate registration of the striking medicos.
The move apparently had the desired effect with cracks appearing in the MARD agitation and many doctors returning to work on Sunday, though officially the agitation continued.
However, on Monday Chief Minister Ashok Chavan personally intervened and assured justice to the striking medicos with regard to their pay hike.
On Monday, the final and successive round of negotiations was completed between the MARD representatives and Secretary of Medical Education Bhushan Gagrani and other senior officials.
{{/usCountry}}On Monday, the final and successive round of negotiations was completed between the MARD representatives and Secretary of Medical Education Bhushan Gagrani and other senior officials.
{{/usCountry}}The MARD strike had severely disrupted medical services in 14 state-run medical colleges and hospitals across the state and three in Mumbai under the civic body.