AIIMS docs call off strike, Venugopal moves SC

The Delhi High Court today asked the government to cancel the licence of AIIMS doctors and deduct their salary if they go on a strike.

The AIIMS faculty in a meeting decided against continuing with the strike.

The RDA had on Wednesday evening decided to go on a strike and disrupt OPD services to protest against the passage of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha which will pave the way for easing out current Director P Venugopal, with whom Union Health and Family Welfare Minister has been involved in a bitter turf war.

The striking resident doctors had been directed by the hospital administration against continuing with the strike following Supreme Court directives on the matter.

8220;Though we have decided against the strike, we will continue a silent protest wherein the doctors will work overtime,8221; Sharma said.

8220;We are basically protesting against a clause in the law which says that it would be implemented retrospectively,8221; RDA President, Kumar Harsh said.

The doctors would take out a silent march towards Rashtrapati Bhavan and submit a memorandum to President Pratibha Patil to protest against the Bill, he said.

8220;We would also sport black ribbon while working to register our protest,8221; he added.

Venugopal moves SC against Bill

AIIMS Director P Venugopal moved the Supreme Court challenging the Centre8217;s decision to fix the age of retirement of the premier institute8217;s Director post at 65 years.

In a petition filed before the apex court, Venugopal contended that the Bill, passed by Parliament on Wednesday in this regard, smacked of malafide and arbitrariness.

The Bill had been moved by Union Health Minister A Ramadoss who has been locked in a running feud with Venugopal for the last two-and-a-half years.