There will be another round of talks between the delegates of the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum (WBJDF) and Chief Secretary Manoj Pant at the state secretariat Nabanna at 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday over the unresolved demands of the forum.
The doctors have been protesting over the ghastly rape and murder of a junior doctor of state-run R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata last month.
Earlier in the day, the forum had shot an email to the Chief Secretary expressing willingness to meet him on Wednesday only over their unresolved demand.
In a reply mail sent at 2.49 p.m., the Chief Secretary has asked the WBJDF delegation to reach the state secretariat by 6.15 p.m. so that the meeting can be started at 6.30 p.m.
In the reply email, the Chief Secretary made it clear that the delegation that will be coming to the state secretariat should be the same team of 30 representatives who met the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the latter's residence on the evening of September 14.
In the reply, the Chief Secretary has once again requested the protesting junior doctors to return to duty amid the flood situation in certain districts in South Bengal.
“In the light of the above situation, while again appealing to you to join duties in the larger public interest and provide services to common people, I along with other members of the task force will meet your delegation of 30 members at Nabanna Sabhaghar today (18.09.2024) at 6.30 PM,” the reply email from the Chief Secretary read, a hard copy of which is available with IANS.
One of the major demands of WBJDF is the removal or replacement of the current state health secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam. The other demands include the immediate formation of resident doctors’ associations and students’ councils in every medical college in the state to bring back a democratic atmosphere at these institutes.
New Act enacted to curb Waqf misuse, claims Tripura CM
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday said that the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 has been passed in the Parliament, aiming to address allegations of misuse of Waqf properties by a section of leaders, misuse of Section 40, land grabbing, and other corruption.
DoNER Ministry facilitate in unlocking Manipur’s growth: Scindia
Union Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday said that he is confident that his ministry would serve as a proactive facilitator in unlocking new opportunities and accelerating Manipur’s growth and development.
Bengal school jobs row: SC allows 'untainted' teachers to continue till fresh selection is over
The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the "untainted" assistant teachers in West Bengal, whose appointments were cancelled due to large-scale irregularities in the 2016 selection process, to continue in their positions till fresh recruitment is completed.
Waqf Act row: No fresh appointments or de-notification of existing waqfs, Centre assures SC
The Supreme Court on Thursday recorded the undertaking given by the Union government that no fresh members would be appointed to waqf boards and the Central Waqf Council in terms of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, till the next date of hearing, and asked it to file its preliminary reply within seven days.
Patel's alarm, Nehru's ‘dismissal’: The origins of the National Herald storm
A series of letters exchanged between Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru in May 1950, as documented in the book Sardar Patel’s Correspondence, suggest that Patel expressed concerns to Nehru regarding the use of the ‘National Herald’ for fundraising purposes.
Kailash Manasarovar Yatra likely to resume soon: MEA
India and China continue to make progress on finalising the modalities to resume Kailash Manasarovar Yatra which can start soon, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday.
Pakistan's reputation as epicentre of global terrorism will not diminish: MEA
Slamming Islamabad's attempts to distance itself from Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, India on Thursday said that no matter how hard Pakistan tries, its reputation as the epicentre of global terrorism will not diminish.
India emerging as key player in global defence production: Rajnath Singh
Highlighting the growing production capabilities, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that India today stands shoulder to shoulder with developed nations in critical areas such as missile technology (Agni, BrahMos), submarines (INS Arihant), aircraft carriers (INS Vikrant), AI, drones and cyber defence.