Haryana doctors’ withdraw proposed strike

Chandigarh, Sep 16 (PTI) Haryana Civil Medical ServicesAssociation (HCMSA) today announced withdrawal of its proposedtwo-day strike and urged its doctors in the state to continuetheir routine work. A decision to this effect was taken after Health MinisterAnil Vij held a meeting with association members. Talking to media after the meeting, Vij said thewithdrawal of the strike call given by the association forSeptember 19 and 20 would "ensure uninterrupted" healthservices to the people. He said all the "genuine demands" of HCMSA have beenaccepted in "principle" and these would be "fulfilled atthe earliest". The demands included raising the retirement age of doctorsto 65 years and increasing their postmortem allowance from Rs10 to Rs 1,000 and for Class IV employees from Rs 1 to Rs 500. They are also demanding a "special package" to specialistsand allowances at par with that of central governmentemployees. Vij said the demands to bring about changes in new PGpolicy, giving promotion after 10 years of recruitment ofdoctors by creating new posts and separate cadre of doctors onthe basis of their specialisation would also be met. Earlier, Director General Health Services Kamla Singh alsourged the doctors not to carry on with their proposed strike,saying their demands were under "consideration" of thegovernment. "The decision (of going on mass leave) of the associationcan harm the healthcare services in the state as at presentcases of malaria and dengue are at their peak," she said in astatement issued here. HMCSA has decided to go on mass casual leave on September19 and 20 and thereafter, mass resignation to the ChiefMinister on September 21. The doctors have dubbed the recently issued transfer listof 475 doctors as "irrational", demanding it be "cancelledimmediately". Vij had later put the doctors’ transfers on hold citing"certain irregularities in the data". The amended list was expected to be released withintwo-three days. However, it is yet to be issued. PTI SUN AQSSC SMNAQS