JOIN USHealth services were hit today in Rajasthan, especially in rural areas, after the government in- service doctors went on a one-day mass leave over various demands, including a hike in allowances.
They also protested against the arrest of 52 doctors under the Rajasthan Essential Services Maintenance Act (RESMA) last night.
The RESMA was invoked on Thursday by the Rajasthan government after doctors warned of a strike on December 18. However, the arrests prompted the doctors to go on strike today, instead of the proposed date.
"Fifty-two doctors have been arrested from various parts of the state under the RESMA since last night," ADG (Law and Order) NRK Reddy said here.
"They cannot boycott work or go on strike when the RESMA is in force," he said
Doctors have alleged that the Rajasthan government did not fulfil the promises made to them during a strike last month and accused it of taking vindictive action.
"The government instead of executing its promises took oppressive action against us. Our people were arrested. Senior doctors were dragged out from their houses and the state government is responsible for provoking the strike," president, All Rajasthan In-Service Doctors Association, Dr Ajay Chaudhary, said in a WhatsApp video.
There are close to 10,000 in-service government doctors in the state.