Govt rapped for not paying striking docs

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday took strong exception to the Government's decision not to release salary of the doctors who took part in an anti-quota stir, saying it should act like a model employer.

"What is this Mr Vahanvati (solicitor-general)? The Government says something at one point in time and when Government came on May 29, you were on your knees. After the strike is over, you say no work no pay," a Bench of Justice Arijit Pasayat and L S Panta observed.

The court said at the time of passing the order, the Government had said no action whatsoever would be taken against the doctors and that it simply wanted them to resume work as patients were suffering.

The court said but for the assurance given by the Government it would have a passed order on this point also.

The court wondered if the concept of 'no work no pay' was not known to the Government till May 28 and observed that it was not expected from the Government.

"Ask your Government to be a model employer," said the Bench.

The court ordered the doctors' absence from work shall not be taken note of for the purpose of their completion of training and internship and appearance in post graduate examination.

The court fixed July 17 to hear the doctors' plea after Solicitor General G E Vahanvati sought time to seek instructions from the government on the question of releasing the salary for the strike period (May 14 to June 3).

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