The Hindu : Uncertainty over talks on medicos' stir

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 19, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Uncertainty over talks on medicos' stir

By our staff reporter

HYDERABAD, JAN.18. Uncertainty prevails about the possibility of discussions on January 19--as reported in a section of the press on Sunday--between representatives of the State Government and the striking junior doctors, with no clear picture emerging till late this evening.

While the Health Minister, K. Sivaprasad Rao, when contacted by

The Hindu, maintained that representatives of the Joint Action Committee AP Junior Doctors' Association had sought an appointment with the Principal Secretary, Medical and Health, S. Bhale Rao, on Monday, Ch. Sridhar Reddy, convener of the committee, stated that there was no invitation from the Government, either oral of written. When pressed for a categorical answer whether the talks would be held or not, all that Dr. Rao was prepared to say was "I don't know". However, Dr. Reddy said "we are trying for talks" the process for which was on. According to him, the "ball was in the Government court", implying that it was for it to initiate a move for ending the impasse on the 38th day of the strike. "Our numbers are available for talks with the Government. If they call we will go (for talks)", he told The Hindu.

At the same time, the JAC on Sunday appeared to be preparing the ground for prolonging the strike by going in for mobilising more members to take up awareness campaign in rural areas.

In another development, Srinivas, executive committee member of the JAC, in a statement on Sunday alleged that the Alluri Seetharama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences was collecting a special fee of Rs. 30,000, in addition to the tuition fee. He claimed that the academy was charging Rs.15,000 from each of the failed MBBS student, as against the stipulated amount of Rs. 1,000. This was, he pointed out, an instance of "corrupt" practice indulged in by the private institution, which was brought to the notice of the State Government.

Srinivas cited the example of a failed student who was "threatened with dismissal" from the academy if he did not pay Rs. 60,000 as demanded. He claimed that many students of the academy were prepared to give evidence against the institution, provided they got support.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh State Committee of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) has called for dharna tomorrow under the auspices of "praja sanghala joint action committee" at the Gandhi and Osmania Hospitals in support of the junior doctors. The committee is opposed to the privatisation of medical and health services.

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