NOVEMBER 28: Even as talks between resident doctors and the state government remain deadlocked, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) is busy chalking out a plan of action for next week.According to MARD spokespeson and organising secretary, Dr Rajas Deshpande, morchas and rallies have been planned. Denying reports that MARD is scheduled to have talks with the state government tomorrow, Dr Deshpande said it is now up to the government to offer something new.However, in a change from MARD's earlier position demanding central pay parity, Dr Deshpande said that MARD would be ready to call off the strike if junior and senior residents are given an equal pay hike. MARD had rejected an offer made on Saturday during talks with Medical Education and Drugs Department Secretary T C Benjamin, of a Rs 2,500 hike for junior residents and Rs 4,000 for senior residents. MARD had claimed that it was an attempt to divide them.If junior residents are also given a hike of Rs 4,000, MARD would call offthe strike in the interest of patients and considering the appeals of senior teachers, Dr Deshpande stated. This would of course be subject to the approval of the MARD core committee, he added.Meanwhile, state Health Minister Digvijay Khanvilkar has stated that the government is not contemplating any action against resident doctors at this juncture. The resident doctors are welcome to come and hold talks with the government, he said.
