Bengal government replied to the doctors' mail and invited representatives for talks at secretariat 'Nabanna' at 6 pm on Wednesday, news agency PTI quoted an official as saying.
The West Bengal government on Wednesday rejected the demands of protesting junior doctors leading to the failure of a meeting planned between the state government and junior doctors at 'Nabanna'. The protesting doctors demanded a live broadcast of the meeting and the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, to which the State Health Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said that the medics were not willing to hold the meeting with an open mind, given, they imposed certain conditions.
Bhattacharya, in a video shared on X, alleged that there is a hidden political agenda behind this (doctors' attitude)."
Junior doctors protesting over the alleged rape and murder of a medic at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in West Bengal's Kolkata had sought a meeting with chief minister Mamata Banerjee to solve the impasse on Wednesday, replying to which the state government invited 12-15 representatives for talks.
Bengal government replied to the doctors' mail and invited representatives for talks at secretariat 'Nabanna' at 6 pm on Wednesday, news agency PTI quoted an official as saying.
Shortly after this, the protesters demanded a larger team of 30 representatives. At around 5:23 PM, the protesting doctors insisted that their delegation include at least 30 members, citing the involvement of numerous medical colleges and hospitals in the agitation.
"We want the discussion to be held in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and be telecast live. We want at least 30 representatives as this movement is spread across various medical colleges and hospitals," a member of the junior doctors' forum said at a press conference.
"If we attend the meeting, we will come back and discuss it with our friends and then announce our decision," the junior doctor said.
The case pertains to a trainee doctor of the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital of West Bengal's Kolkata whose body with severe injury marks was found inside the seminar hall of the facility's chest department in the morning of August 9.
Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, was on August 10 arrested on allegations of raping and killing the trainee doctor A CCTV footage and a Bluetooth device found near the medic's body resulted in the arrest of Roy, who was allegedly seen entering the seminar hall of the college where the body was found at around 4 am.
Government Rejects Junior doctors' demands: The West Bengal government has rejected the demands of live broadcast of the meeting at 'Nabanna' and the presence of CM Mamata Banerjee. The State Health Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said that the medics were not willing to hold the meeting with an open mind since they imposed conditions.
Doctors' Letter To CM Mamata: Agitating junior doctors on Wednesday sent an email to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, seeking an appointment to discuss the ongoing impasse arising out of the alleged rape and murder of an on-duty medic at a state-run hospital here last month. In their mail, the medics mentioned that they were open for the meeting "anytime and anywhere", provided that the entire discussion must be streamed live, a doctor said.
Bengal Govt Replies: Following the mail sent by the medics, the West Bengal government asked them to join a meeting at the state secretariat at 6 pm on Wednesday. "We invite your delegation preferably consisting of 12-15 colleagues to join us for a discussion at 6 PM today, i.e. 11.09.2024, in Nabanna. A list of the members of your delegation may please be intimated by email. We look forward to your positive response and hope for a fruitful dialogue," news agency PTI quoted State Chief Secretary Manoj Pant as saying in the letter. However, it has not been mentioned whether the meeting will be chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or not.
Doctors' Demonstration: The protesting doctors have been demonstrating outside Swathya Bhavan, the state health department headquarters, for more than 22 hours over their demand that Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, the state health secretary, director of health education (DHE), and the director of health services (DHS) be removed from their posts. They also demanded adequate safety and security measures for all women health professionals in the state.
Doctors Defy SC Order: Supreme Court had on Monday directed doctors to join duties by 5 PM on September 10. The protesting junior doctors defied the directive and continued with their cease work for the 33rd day on Wednesday to press their demand for justice for the medic who was allegedly raped and murdered at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last month.
CBI Probe: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been conducting a probe into the alleged rape and murder of the woman medic, following a Calcutta High Court order. Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, was on August 10 arrested on allegations of raping and killing the trainee doctor A CCTV footage and a Bluetooth device found near the medic's body resulted in the arrest of Roy, who was allegedly seen entering the seminar hall of the college where the body was found at around 4 am.