Doctors association in R'sthan to organise non-cooperation stir

In a unique way to make the government listen to their demands, an agitating doctor's association in Rajasthan is all set to "tie the knot" with the state health department.

As a form of non-cooperation peaceful movement, a "marriage ceremony" between the two groups will take place on November 3.

According to the invite, distributed by the doctor's association, the health department is the "groom", whereas the protesting doctors are the "bride".

District level secretary of the All Rajasthan In Service Doctors Association, Subhash Shekhawat told DH, "The idea is to show the bride (protesting doctors) as having 33 demands and the groom (health department)accepting the bride's 33 demands with all the respect and sanctity. The wedding will be staged outside a community hall in all districts of Rajasthan. The mandap (a stage erected for the purpose of a wedding), will be decorated and we all will stand in a queue".

The initiative has been taken by in-service doctors, who have been agitating for the last six years over their service and wage-related 33-point demands. Their main demand includes formation of a separate cadre for in-service doctors, Rs 10,000 grade pay benefit to in-service doctors, rectification in salary discrepancy, housing facility and safety for all doctors, running government health centres in a single shift and rural allowance.

As a sign of protest, doctors are not cooperating with the department in terms of meetings, training, report filing and they are also boycotting camps for family welfare. They have also threatened to give a mass resignation on November 6, if the government fails to listen to their demands.