The meeting between representatives of 12 doctors' associations and West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant on Monday regarding the impasse over demands raised in the aftermath of the ghastly rape and murder of a junior doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital here ended without any conclusion.
"The state government has refused to give us any written assurance regarding the fulfilment of the 10-point demand of the junior doctors. The state government is asking the junior doctors to bring back normalcy. But that will not be possible unless the state government gives any written assurance about their demands," a doctors' representative told mediapersons after the meeting.
Another representative questioned that with those accused of backing the "threat culture" in medical colleges and hospitals in the state roaming freely and corrupt people occupying important positions in the state healthcare system, "how does the state government expect the junior doctors to go back to normal functioning"?
"The role of the police is also quite doubtful. How can the state government expect everything to be normal in such a situation?" he wondered.
Meanwhile, sources aware of the developments in the meeting said that the Chief Secretary said that already seven demands from the protesting doctors have been fulfilled.
At the same time, Pant told the representatives of the doctors' association that the timeline for meeting the remaining demands cannot be specified by the state government immediately, sources said.
The doctors' association representatives also requested the state government to immediately remove Trinamool Congress legislator, Sudipto Roy, who is himself a medical practitioner, as a member of the West Bengal Health Recruitment Board.
Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, who are conducting a probe in the case of financial irregularities at R.G. Kar, have already questioned Roy in this connection, besides conducting raids and search operations at his residence and nursing home.
The doctors' association representatives also clearly said that they will conduct the scheduled human-chain protest demonstration on Tuesday evening.
"We have invited the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty to be present at the human-chain demonstration. They have accepted our invitation. We will be waiting for them," said a representative of a doctors' association.
Committed to make India a chip manufacturing hub, prepare skilled workforce: Ashwini Vaishnaw
The Central government is committed to transforming India into a leading hub for semiconductor manufacturing, while preparing a skilled workforce that meets the evolving demands of the industry, Union Railways and Electronics and IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said here on Friday.
Five times increase in budget allocation for northeast under BJP govt: Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Friday that five times the budget allocation every year was increased for the northeast after the BJP government came to power at the Centre.
International rights body expresses concern over persecution of Hindus in B'desh
The Global Bengali Hindu Coalition (GBHC), a Toronto-based rights body, on Friday raised serious concerns over rising persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh and urged the world communities to take steps to stop the atrocities on minorities in the neighbouring country.
Alert along Tripura-Mizoram-B’desh border after reports of cross-border movement of militants
Security forces including the Border Security Force (BSF) are on a high alert after reports of movement of militants from Bangladesh along the Tripura and Mizoram borders, officials said on Friday.
Students to play key role in shaping society: Mayor
The 52nd State-based Bal Science Exhibition 2024-2025 was inaugurated today by Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA, Dipak Majumdar, at Maharani Tulsibati XII Class Girls' School.
Govt committed for balance development of rural and urban areas: Tinku
Minister Tinku Roy, who inaugurated the fair, emphasized that funds are being allocated for organizing cultural programs, festivals, and fairs throughout the state. He assured that the government is committed to fostering balanced development from villages to cities.
Sushanta Chowdhury invited to Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj
The organizers of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, have invited Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury to attend the holy event, which will take place from January 13 to February 26.
Minister Sudhangshu Das pitches for fishery and livestock rearing to become self-reliant; chairs review meeting
The state animal resource development department (ARDD) Sudhangshu Das on Thursday chaired a west Tripura district level review meeting on various developmental schemes under the SC Welfare, ARDD and Fishery department here in the conference hall of the District Magistrate of West Tripura district.