Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee urged the junior doctors on Saturday to withdraw their fast unto death. She asserted that everyone has the right to protest but it should not affect healthcare services. Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee interacted with the agitating doctors over the phone when state chief secretary Manoj Pant and home secretary Nandini Chakraborty visited the protest site.
Mamata Banerjee assured the doctors that she would meet them on Monday to further discuss their demands.
Banerjee’s reaction came a day after the protesting junior doctors gave the Bengal government an ultimatum to fulfil their demands before October 21. On Friday, the junior doctors threatened to hold a strike on October 22 if their demands were not met.
While interacting with the junior doctors, the Bengal chief minister emphasised that most of their demands had been fulfilled and asked to give her some more time to work on the rest.
“Most of your demands have been fulfilled, give me 3-4 months more to meet the rest,” she said.
The Bengal CM further said that she didn’t differ with doctors’ demands and requested them to talk with the government.
“Please withdraw the agitation. Some of the demands need policy decisions. We will cooperate to the fullest extent possible but it is not acceptable that you will dictate to the government what should be done,” she said.
The fast-unto-death by doctors has entered the 15th day today over demands for justice for the deceased medic, who was allegedly raped and murdered in the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, and workplace security.
