Impasse over, Rajasthan doctors call off strike

Government doctors in Rajasthan ended their 11-day-old strike late Saturday night after the state government announced the release of all 426 of their jailed colleagues and withdrew the Rajasthan Essential Services Maintenance Act (RESMA).

Government doctors in Rajasthan ended their 11-day-old strike late Saturday night after the state government announced the release of all 426 of their jailed colleagues and withdrew the Rajasthan Essential Services Maintenance Act (RESMA).

At least 70 patients died across the state due to the reported non-availability of medical services during the strike for promotions and better pay.

The breakthrough came after hectic parleys between representatives of the agitating doctors and state energy minister Jitendra Singh.

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Earlier, chief minister Ashok Gehlot had met members of the Rajasthan Medical Services Teachers’ Association and decided to release the jailed doctors and withdraw the RESMA imposed after the strike crippled medical services.

The government has formed a five-member committee to look into the doctors’ demands including time-bound promotions and no break in service for the doctors who were jailed during the strike.

The strike by more than 6,400 doctors, which began on December 21, had forced the state to rope in private hospitals and doctors from the army, BSF and Railways to deal with the crisis.