ESMA invoked against striking doctors in Gujarat

Gandhinagar, July 26 (ANI): The Government of Gujarat on Sunday invoked Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against the striking resident doctors seeking hike in their stipend.

The resident doctors have been on strike for last four days here.

"We have invoked ESMA against the striking resident doctors. Now that they are under ESMA, they can be arrested or detained also," said Principal Secretary of Health Ravi Saxena.

The State Government also warned that if the doctors continued their strike, steps will be taken to terminate their registration from Monday morning.

"We had several rounds of talks with the representatives of the resident doctors but so far they have been adamant, forcing us to terminate them," Saxena said.

Meanwhile, the Gujarat Association of Resident Doctors (GARD), in a statement said the doctors are prepared to face the "action to be initiated by the authorities."

"We are ready to face any action initiated against us. However, we want the government to resolve the issue by negotiation," GARD said in the statement. (ANI)