Surat Beat

Junior doctors resume dutyJunior doctors attached to the Surat Government Medical College and New Civil Hospital joined duty from Sunday,...

Junior doctors resume duty
Junior doctors attached to the Surat Government Medical College and New Civil Hospital joined duty from Sunday, ending their 35-day old strike that began on September 6. In-charge superintendent of New Civil Dr Khadija Saifee said they resumed duty from noon after their demand for more stipend was met by the state government.

Unconfirmed reports said Surat Junior Doctors8217; Association president Pritu Dhalaria, who was also president of All Gujarat JDA Action Committee, was removed from office by the striking doctors, who were not happy with Dhalaria8217;s leadership. They were cut up with him for having misled them in believing that Health Minister Ashok Bhatt was not ready to hold negotiations with the striking doctors, a senior administrative officer of the hospital quoting JDA members told Express Newsline on Sunday night. They have convened Dhalaria could not be reached.

Bardoli peaceful
No untoward incident was reported from Bardoli, the town that has witnessed disturbances in the last few days. Union Textile Minister Kashiram Rana, during his visit to Bardoli on Sunday, visited Dhruv and Rupa agencies that were torched by miscreants. After Saturday8217;s bandh, shops and establishments were opened on Sunday. He was accompanied by co-operative leader Suman Desai and vice-president of Surat district panchayat Raman Jani.

Notification
Police Commissioner Maniram has issued a notification prohibiting exploding of firecrackers within 100 metres of all petrol pumps, Indian Oil Corporation8217;s depot at Sahara Darwaja, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation8217;s LPG plant near Saroli village, Indian Oil Corporation8217;s depot and LPG bottling plant at Hazira, till November 5. Violators will be prosecuted, the notification warned.

SGCCI appeal
The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry SGCCI has received as many as 1500 applications from persons whose houses were damaged in the recent flood. The chamber will soon start a survey of such houses. SGCCI president Rajendra Chokhawala and District Collector R M Shah have requested people to donate money to help provide cash assistance to those affected.

Dak Seva award
Jashvantbhai Vasava, a group D employee working at Aditynagar Post office in Surat, was awarded the Dak Seva Award for 1997 at the hands of Surendranagar MP Bhavana Dave. Chief postmaster general Asha Kulkarni presided over the function held in Ahmedabad on Friday. Vasava had overpowered a gun-toting miscreant who barged into the post office on April 17, 1995 when the postmaster was counting cash. The miscreant was later sentenced to seven years in prison. Vasava not only saved the life of the postmaster by risking his own life but also saved Rs 80,000 in cash, available in the post office then.

One arrested
Shantilal alias Shantu Jivanbhai Patel, accused in vehicle thefts in the city, was arrested and remanded to police cutody after he confessed to stealing four vehicles during the past six months.