The Hindu : Front Page : Medicos to go on casual leave today

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 24, 2006

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Medicos to go on casual leave today

Staff Reporter

"But essential hospital services will function normally... ."

NO WAY: An old couple arriving at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi on Wednesday for treatment - only to find doctors observing a "Black Day". - PHOTO: V. V. KRISHNAN

NEW DELHI: Continuing their agitation against the Centre's decision to provide reservation for Other Backward Classes in all Central educational institutions and deemed universities, aided and maintained by the Government, medicos at the AIIMS and some other medical institutions including Maulana Azad Medical College here in the Capital observed a "Black Day" on Wednesday.

Stating that they did not want to put patients to any inconvenience, the protesting medicos attended to work wearing black badges. Resident doctors at AIIMS have also decided to go on mass casual leave on Thursday as part of the agitation. "After the Black Day observed on Wednesday, we have decided to go on mass casual leave on Thursday in protest against the Bill. But essential services will function normally. We have informed the hospital administration about our decision to ensure that enough staff is made available to the patients on Thursday," said AIIMS Resident Doctors' Association president Binod Patra. He added that medicos from across the country have been contacted and would be actively participating in the protests.

"The Government has to realise that it is answerable to every citizen of the country. The future of millions of people cannot be decided in such a hurry. The protest will only intensify if the Bill is cleared." Students from nine prominent educational institutions of the Capital had on Tuesday held an anti-quota protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

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