HC reserves judgment on junior doctors strike
HYDERABAD: The High Court reserved its orders on a plea urging it to declare the ongoing strike by members of Junior Doctors' Association (JUDA) as illegal. The junior doctors have not been attending to their duties since September 27.
A division bench comprising chief justice KJ Sengupta and justice PV Sanjay Kumar was dealing with a PIL petition filed by B Ravi Kiran Swamy complaining that in spite of earlier orders of the court the junior doctors were on strike endangering the lives of people, particularly the poor.
While reserving the verdict, justice Sengupta observed that the court had thought of rescuing the junior doctors and there was no intention to throw them into darkness. 'The court will certainly examine the demands of junior doctors whether they are public or personal demands.
They have good future. But by not withdrawing the strike they have invited the bench to pass the order in accordance with law. If they have problem with its judgment then the Almighty will save them,' the CJ remarked.
The counsel appearing for junior doctors submitted that there was no provision in law which can prevent junior doctors from going to strike. They decided to continue their agitation, he informed the court.
'In the name of rural posting the specialty training to junior doctors is totally ignored. An ophthalmologist is posted in a place meant for dermatologist.
Rural posting should be transparent and professional factors are to be considered. Junior doctors have specified their demands before the government but there is no transparency on rural service,' he added.
Justice Sengupta recalled the services of Dr BC Roy, the second chief minister of West Bengal. 'Dr Roy used to dedicate time for poor patients despite his busy schedule as chief minister.
He used to spend one hour to treat patients and visited hospitals once a week. In the present days such a dedication is lacking. Doctor's profession is not a clerical job but deals with the lives of people. It's a noble profession and I also hail from a doctor's family,' the CJ said.
Telangana advocate-general K Ramakrishna Reddy said the government accepted four demands and the fifth on rural service was mandated by the Centre which was bringing in an Act.
News Posted: 31 October, 2014
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