Government doctors on strike in Rajasthan

Demanding a hike in salaries and time-bound promotions, government doctors in parts of Rajasthan on Wednesday went on an indefinite strike.

Accusing the state government of ignoring their long-pending demands, the doctors had threatened to go on an indefinite strike ten days back if their issues were not addressed.

Hospital officials, however, said the initial impact of the strike is not much as additional arrangements have been made at the Sawai Man Singh hospital, the biggest government hospital of the state.

"Medical services are not affected here as we made additional arrangements. All resident doctors are on duty and we are ensuring that services are not crippled in the hospital," Dr L C Sharma, Superintendent of SMS government hospital said.

The state government late Tuesday night declared the services of medical and health departments as most essential services but doctors went on strike despite that.

Hike in salary and pay parity with doctors in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and other states and time-bound promotions are among the demands the doctors have made for the past few months.

Almost 9,000 in-service doctors, according to the association, are posted at all primary health centres, dispensaries and hospitals across the state and the strike is likely to hit medical services badly if it continues.