‘Give allowances, security to woman docs in Simhastha’

Doctors on duty for Simhastha fair in Ujjain continue to agitate over inadequate housing facilities, allotment of travel allowance (TA), dearness allowance (DA) and security for woman doctors on fair premises.

Doctors on duty for Simhastha fair in Ujjain continue to agitate over inadequate housing facilities, allotment of travel allowance (TA), dearness allowance (DA) and security for woman doctors on fair premises.

Pilgrims and visitors board a special train at the Bhopal railway station on Wednesday for visiting Simhastha in Ujjain. (Praveen Bajpai/HT Photo)

A group of five doctors visited minister-in-charge for district Bhupendra Singh on Wednesday seeking action on these demands.

“We had approached him after the principal secretary refused to pay heed to our requests and demands. We emphasised the need for a better security provision for women doctors and also highlighted that we are yet to receive any TA/DA from the government,” said Dr Rajesh Kumar, one of the representatives who met Singh. Doctors have requested for dearness allowance of Rs 5,000 and an undisclosed amount of travel allowance per person.

During the meeting with Singh, representatives also demanded an inquiry into the alleged assault of a doctor on fair premises. No FIR was registered in the case but doctors had lodged a complaint at Kotwali police station. Doctors urged the Simhastha in-charge minister to provide security at hospitals considering the difficulty in treating patients during rush hours.

An emergency night duty certificate has also been requested by doctors while discharging duty at respective districts. Although Singh has assured representatives of action in this regard, one of the representatives said they will go on a strike from May 10 if the administration does not pay attention to their demands.