West Bengal govt invites doctors for talks; claims no one came
The West Bengal government reached out to the protesting doctors regarding the RG Kar rape and murder case, in an effort to have a dialogue and encourage them to return to work. The doctors received an e-mail from the government, sent by the Health Secretary, whose removal they are demanding, the doctors stated.
The doctors persisted in their protest, ignoring the Supreme Court‘s order that required them to resume work by 5 pm on Tuesday.
The government of Bengal had asked a group of 10 doctors who were protesting to come for discussions. Nonetheless, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Chandrima Bhattacharya, mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee waited in her office for the doctors, but none arrived.
Bhattacharya stated that the Chief Minister departed from the Bengal Secretariat when no doctors responded.
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Doctors claim mail received from Health Secretary; term it “humiliating”
Speaking to the press tonight, the doctors found it “humiliating” that the Health Secretary had emailed them, as one of their five requests was for his removal, as well as the Director of Medical Education (DME).
“We are always open for communication but the Health Secretary sending mail is very humiliating for us. We feel that there is no scope for communication,” the doctors said.
No e-mail received from CMO, say doctors
They also pointed out that the e-mail was not received from the Chief Minister’s office, saying if that happened, they “would definitely decide on whether to go or not”.
“We have been humiliated, so we cannot answer this e-mail. Let a proper e-mail or communication come, we can definitely think about it,” the doctors said.
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The Supreme Court had ordered doctors to return to work by Tuesday
The Supreme Court ordered resident doctors protesting to return to work by 5 pm on Tuesday, assuring no negative consequences upon their return.
The court issued the order after the assurance from the West Bengal government that no punitive measures, such as transfers, will be carried out against the doctors who were protesting when they return to work.
