HP government not to yield to blackmail, asserts CM

Shimla, Mar 29 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said his government will not yield to intimidation, blackmail and threats of the striking doctors of the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) who were trying to paralyse the health services without any reason.

Replying to the discussion on demand pertaining to health department in the House, he said the government would try to maintain the services without the services of the striking doctors.

Extending an invitation to the doctors to come to the negotiating table, he said his doors were always open for talks, provided they have any genuine issues.

''I am ready to discuss all issues. But going on strike without any reason or notice was highly irresponsible against the high ethics of the services,'' he added.

He said there was no reason to hike the stipend of the doctors at par with Punjab, which gives stipend as written in their prospectus.

Despite whatever was written in the prospectus, the government has raised the stipend of the doctors suo motto by 20 per cent, he said.

The Chief Minister said the GDOs (General Duty Officers) were being given salaries plus an opportunity to undergo this training to improve their qualification.

The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) has a history of going on strike whether its Congress or BJP government.

Speaking on the demand, former BJP Minister, Ravinder Ravi, urged the government to address the issue of striking IGMC doctors at the earliest.

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