JDA steps up agitation

DIBRUGARH, Nov 21: The Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) of the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMC&H) has stepped up their ante by sit-in demonstration starting from yesterday. Such demonstration will continue indefinitely until the Government fulfils their demands. As reported earlier, some of the demands of the JDA are– increase of stipends of post graduate students, filling up of the vacant posts of teachers particularly in the Dermatology Department and others. In addition to the sit-in demonstration, the association also proposes to cease work, however it will continue service in the causality, intensive care unit, labour room, emergency operation and the blood bank. Meanwhile, in a related development, the JDA told this reporter that the Director of Medical Education had informed the agitating JDA that their demands for their pay increase could not be met and that they are directed to resume their normal duties. President of JDA, Dr Devid Pegu, however, informed that the JDA is determined to fight for what they termed as their just cause. Dr Pegu stated that it is not a pay increase that the association is demanding but only hike in the stipends. Moreover, the ongoing agitation do not propose any shut down of emergency services in AMC&H and is continuing in a democratic and peaceful manner, therefore there is no question of discontinuing their agitation. THE SENTINEL