Rajasthan orders strict action against doctors not returning on duty

The Rajasthan government on Friday ordered the doctors on strike to return to their duties by 7 p.m., asserting "strict actions" would be taken against those not adhering to it.

"The intention to put out the order is to regularise the public service. If that is violated then action would be taken according to law," Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria told ANI.

He added that when services are staggered then the public has to face problems, which is why the decision was taken.

Earlier on November 6, all the practising doctors in Rajasthan decided to go on a mass leave, in support of their pending demands before the state government.

The mass leave was followed in accordance with the warning by the All India In-Service Doctors' Association (AIISDA) issued last month.

The All Rajasthan In-Service Doctors' Association (ARISDA) had said if the state government takes an oppressive action against the doctors, a mass medical strike would be called.

The 33 long-pending demands by the doctors of the state include the formation of a separate cadre for in-service doctors, Rs. 10,000 grade pay benefit for doctors, and running government health centres in a single shift, among others.

The state health minister, Kalicharan Saraf, has said the fulfillment of the demands may take time.