CM assures striking docs of talks before tabling KPME Bill

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday assured agitating doctors that the State government would hold a round of discussion with them before the controversial the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) bill is tabled in the winter session of the legislature.

Hundreds of medical professionals arrived in Belagavi to register their protest against the proposed amendments to the KPME Act, which include imprisonment of doctors for the death of a patient due to medical negligence and setting up of a grievance redressal committee.

"The government does not intend to trouble you. I request you to withdraw your protest," Siddaramaiah told a delegation of doctors led by Indian Medical Association state president Dr H N Ravindra. "Before being tabled, we will hold one more round of consultation with you and the health minister," the CM added.