Doctors call off strike as Raj govt lifts ESMA

Jaipur: Government hospital doctors in Rajasthan called off their strike on Saturday night after Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot lifted the Rajasthan Essential Services Maintenance Act (RESMA) and released jailed doctors.

Seventy five patients died during the 11-day stir.

The doctors went on strike on December 21 demanding better pay and timely promotions. The protest led to a virtual collapse of the healthcare system in the state.

The govt has also asked for a committee to be set up to review cases lodged against the agitating doctors.

Gehlot on Saturday night ordered officials to lift RESMA and release all the jailed medicos.

Gehlot, chairing a high-level review meeting, also decided to set up a committee of five ministers to review the cases lodged against the agitating doctors under RESMA.

The committee comprises of Medical and Health Minister Duru Miyan, Energy Minister Jitendra Singh, Industry Minister Rajendra Pareek and MoS (Medical) Rajkumar Sharma and MoS (Home) Virendra Beniwal.

The panel will also take view on the action of suspension and termination taken against the doctors by the government during the strike, an official said.

The chief minister expressed satisfaction that several agitating doctors have resumed duty in parts of the state so the RESMA was lifted on the eve of the New Year, he said.

"We will now take a decision over the strike after a discussion with government ministers tonight," a representative of the striking medicos said.

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