Kerala CM accuses previous Govt for Doctor's strike

Pathanamthitta, Nov 15 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today accused the previous Congress-led United Democratic Front Government for the ongoing government doctor's ''work to rule'' stir and said the previous government had made the last pay revision anomalous.

The Chief Minister was addressing a high-level meeting at Pampa to review the arrangements being made by various departments and the Travancore Devaswam Board for the smooth conduct of the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku festival at Sabarimala Ayyappa temple.

Mr Achuthanandan alleged that the UDF government miserably failed to include provisions in the pay-revision for providing salary scale to government doctors on par with the officials in the secretariat level. The resultant discontent and resentment among the doctors got exploded in the form of a stir now, he added.

He claimed that Left Democratic Front government was trying its best through creative discussions to evolve a mechanism capable of dispensing the denied benefits to doctors. ''Yet , the agitation goes on due to some misunderstanding,'' he added.

He said during the pilgrimage season, a total of 3.5 crore pilgrims were expected to arrive at Sabarimala.

Health Minister P K Sreemathy said in view of the doctors' stir, 100 doctors including cardiologists from the Government Medical Colleges would be posted at Sabarimala.

The service provided by Apollo Hospital would be expanded. It was confirmed that during the pilgrimage period, around 200 doctors each would be made available in seven phases.

Devaswam Minister G Sudhakaran, Transport Minister Mathew Thomas, PWD Minister Mons Joseph and Forest Minister Benoy Viswam were among others, who attended the review meeting.

UNI