New Delhi: Chief Minsiter Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said harsh action will be taken against resident doctors who are on strike and have refused to call-off the agitation in spite of the state government imposing ESMA (Essential Services Maintenance Act) against them.
Hours after the doctors on strike decided to continue their agitation today, Kejriwal took to Twitter to give them a further ultimatum.
"We have agreed to all demands of docs. I personally intervened. Yet they r not calling off strike. Why? What else is left now?" Kejriwal tweeted.
We hv agreed to all demands of docs. I personally intervened. Yet they r not calling off strike. Why? What else is left now?(1/4)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 23, 2015
In another tweet he wrote: “ Patients suffering. I appeal 2 docs 2 return 2 duty. I am their biggest well wisher. If dey have more demands, v will agree to them also. (sic)”
Patients suffering.I appeal 2 docs 2 return 2 duty.I am their biggest well wisher.If dey have more demands, v will agree to them also(2/4)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 23, 2015
But causing inconvenience to public is wrong. We hv been forced to invoke ESMA(3/4)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 23, 2015
CM further warned the striking resident doctors and said that his government would take 'harsh steps' against those who fail to return to work.
If they still don't return, then in public interest, we will be left wid no option but to take harsh steps(4/4)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 23, 2015
Earlier in the day, Kejriwal-led AAP government invoked the ESMA against striking doctors who refused to join duty even after the city administration accepted their demands.
The doctors, under the banner of the Federation Of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), have refused to resume work till their demands are met and the central government and MCD also come ahead together to resolve the issue.
FORDA is an association of doctors of 25 Delhi-based government hospitals.
Over 20,000 resident doctors from 25 government hospitals in the city have gone on an indefinite strike since Monday, demanding adequate stocks of life-saving drugs, security at work place, fixed duty hours and timely payment of their salaries.
The doctors went on strike in February too after which the Delhi government had assured them of better working conditions.
The latest strike has affected outpatient department (OPD) private ward services and emergency services.
The Delhi government yesterday accepted all the 19 demands of the striking doctors during a two-hour-long meeting at the Delhi Secretariat, which was attended by around 25 resident doctors.
(With Agency inputs)
