Angry Gehlot lashes out at striking doctors

Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has reacted angrily to the ongoing strike as it enters its sixth day on Monday, causing the loss of around 50 lives, saying people were angry over "what is happening".

"People are angry with what is happening. We have been talking to doctors but they are continuing with their agitation and that is why we have dismissed certain doctors."

"These are steps we have had to take," he said.

Is this what you had thought of doing when you decided to become doctors, he asked them.

"The doctors who are striking should ask themselves whether this is what they had thought of doing when they decided to become doctors."

The government on Monday sacked two Chief Medical and Health officers (CMHOs) and 10 Primary Medical Officers (PMOs).

A total of 397 doctors have been arrested so far under the Essential Services Maintenance Act.

Meanwhile, around 361 private hospitals across the state have been authorized to give OPD and diagnostic services.

Army doctors have stepped in to help out and emergency services have been restored in a few hospitals.

The government announced a fresh recruitment drive last week after 5000 doctors quit after nearly 200 of their colleagues, who were on strike, were arrested.

The doctors have been demanding better pay, on par with their central government counterparts.

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