Maharashtra minister warns on strike doctors of 6-month pay cut

With the strike by over 4,000 resident doctors entering its third day, leaving the health services in Maharashtra paralysed, state Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan on Wednesday warned the doctors of a six-month salary cut if they do not resume work.

Meanwhile, dean of Government Medical College in Nagpur has suspended 301 of its resident doctors for striking, said reports.

The Bombay high court on Tuesday had directed the management of government hospitals to take disciplinary action against the striking doctors, who are protesting against attacks on two doctors last week. The court said contempt action should be taken against the striking doctors.

A public interest writ petition was filed on Monday in the Bombay high



court against the doctors' agitation by a social activist.

There have been at least five attacks on resident doctors in one week, including two in the past 72 hours, said Indian Medical Association (Youth) state president Sagar Mundada.

On Monday, Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors office-bearers had met Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar and the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation announced some tough measures to curb violence against medicos, including limiting the number of relatives who will be permitted to accompany patients.

'Henceforth, only two relatives of any patient shall be permitted with special passes and those found without, shall be prosecuted,' said Additional Municipal Commissioner I A Kundan.