New Delhi: The West Bengal government appealed to junior doctors on Monday to resume work, with CM Mamata Banerjee stating that she is ready to talk to the protesting doctors. Junior doctors will decide on their future course following the Supreme Court order asking them to return to work.
Chief secretary Manoj Pant said, “We have seen the Supreme Court order. The chief minister has urged junior doctors to resume work. We are urging our brothers and sisters to resume their duties.”
“In its order, the apex court has mentioned safety and security of the medics. We have earmarked ₹100 crore for washrooms, toilets, restrooms, CCTV installations and other infrastructure. We will do it in seven days and we will start work at the earliest. We will do it in an expedient manner,” Pant assured.
“In various medical colleges, there is private security deployed. We are taking measures and training them. Our whole team is ready,” Pant said.
Banerjee said: “All protests took place without permission. I have asked the police not to take action. It creates problems if you block roads… Supreme Court has also requested doctors to rejoin work. I am also requesting them to join work… I welcome it if 5-10 representatives of them want to talk to us”
During an administrative meeting at state secretariat Nabanna here on Monday, Banerjee said, “A month has passed… Now, please prepare for the festival which is 30 days away.” The suggestion was reproached by protesting doctors. BJP, CPIM and Congress termed her comments “insensitive”.
Some doctors said they were looking forward to the Supreme Court hearing but were disillusioned and disappointed. “We are very disappointed. Justice delayed is justice denied. Our side was not heard,” a junior doctor said.
