Ensure quota for doctors in PG courses: Doctors Association for Social Equality

Talking to DTNEXT, Dr GR Ravindranath, general secretary, Doctors Association for Social Equality (DASE), said, “In 2016, the Supreme Court had passed an order upholding the Allahabad High Court’s ruling in favour of no quotas for government doctors. On the same lines, the Madras High Court on Monday have given a judgment that puts government doctors’ quota in danger.”

Dr Ravindranath added that the Medical Council of India had made amendments in PG admission rules — allotting 10 per cent, 20 per cent and 30 per cent for doctors working in rural, remote and areas. “It poses a huge problem as there is no scope for merit-based admissions,” he said.

Similarly, the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association has called for a strike, protesting against the MHC order. Dr P Balakrishnan of the association said, “We are requesting the state government to appeal the case and ensure rights of service candidates.” 

On Wednesday, a dharna will be staged at the RGGGH and a similar protest for two hours will be carried out on Thursday across the state, where doctors will not attend to out-patients. “We will not hamper the functioning of the emergency wards on both days.” He added that government is supposed to complete the first stage of counselling by April 23, and they should wait till the Apex Court heard the case.