Govt not to enhance pay; Medicos to continue stir

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 15 (UNI) The Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government today ruled out enhancing the pay of doctors in the state, even as the Kerala Government Medical Officers' Association (KGMOA) said it will continue with its non-cooperation agitation.

Addressing newspersons here, Finance Minister T M Thomas Issac and Health Minister P K Sreemahi said the entry cadre scale could not be revised and asked the KGMOA to call off its agitation.

''The doctors are paid well. They are trying to threaten the government, which will not be tolerated,'' they said.

Ms Sreemathy said there was some hidden agenda behind the agitation.

The government would hold another round of discussions with the doctors on Wednesday, Dr Issac said.

The government had already taken 'necessary steps' to ensure that doctors attended to their duties.

Though the government held several rounds of discussions with the KGMOA in the last few days, it could not dissuade the Association from its plan for a state-wide agitation.

A Committee set up under the Health Secretary had recommended the creation of a specialty and administrative cadre for the doctors, who end up with little promotion, once they join the service.

Meanwhile, the doctors have decided to continue their non-cooperation strike till the government implemented the report of the Committee on administrative and specialty cadre for doctors in Health Service in full.

UNI