Punjab medicos may call off strike

Health services in state-run hospitals across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh today remained adversely affected by the anti-quota stir amidst indications that the striking medicos might call off their agitation in the light of the Supreme Court's observations.

"We are watching what decision the doctors in New Delhi take. As there is no way left to carry on with the stir, there is a possibility that the strike will be called off," said Subh Mohan Singh of Youth for Equality, which is spearheading the protest against the proposed 27 per cent quota for OBCs in elite educational institutions.

Singh said OPDs and special clinics still remained suspended. Emergency services were being maintained by consultants, he added.

Jaspreet Singh, President of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) of the Post-Graduate Institute for Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), said, "If any fresh advice from the Supreme Court comes to the doctors to re-join duty, they will call off their strike."

He said the authorities at PGIMER had sought a status report on the strike by resident doctors in light of the apex court's observations.