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Action committee to intensify struggle

Rajesh Nair

Threatens protests if Centre sticks to its stand of making JIPMER autonomous

Photo: T. Singaravelou

DOCTORS' JOB: Resident doctors and students of JIPMER clearing the medical waste.

PONDICHERRY: The Pondicherry Action Committee formed jointly by representatives of various political parties has decided to intensify its struggle against the move to convert JIPMER into an autonomous institute.

Addressing reporters here on Monday, CPM leader T. Murugan, convenor of the Committee, said if the Centre stuck to its stand despite objections by majority of JIPMER employees, they would launch protests in Pondicherry, including bandhs.

The Centre had taken a decision without consulting the employees and assessing the opinion of the public, he noted.

He charged the Union Health Minister, A. Anbhumani Ramadoss, for taking a hasty decision and urged him to re-consider the move. "If the Government wanted to make the institute on par with AIIMS and PGI, it need only to utilise the funds allocated to JIPMER properly and fill up the vacancies," he pointed out. "If JIPMER becomes autonomous, the health delivery system will go out of reach for the poor. The administration will become a tool in the hands of politicians. The move will also divide the employees on caste lines," he alleged.

The committee also appealed to the employees to suspend the strike, as it was causing hardship to patients. Mr. Murugan said they would be meeting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to seek his support.

Representatives from AIADMK, JD (S), MDMK and RSP also attended the press meeting.

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