'For people's sake, I am ready to resign' West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
- In Reports
- 11:35 PM, Sep 12, 2024
- Myind Staff
A group of junior doctors protesting the ongoing issues at RG Kar hospital arrived at the West Bengal state secretariat, Nabanna, seeking a resolution. However, they declined the Bengal government’s offer to discuss the matter in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The protesters arrived at the secretariat around 5:25 p.m. and remained at the venue’s entrance for over an hour, engaged in discussions. During this time, a tense standoff occurred between the two sides, with both” maintaining their positions. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was reportedly at the venue, ready to participate in the meeting.
“For people’s sake, I am ready to resign; I also want justice for murdered RG Kar hospital doctor,” Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said after the junior doctors refused to enter the meeting venue.
Mamata Banerjee informed that, due to the RG Kar case being sub-judice, the meeting with the junior doctors could not be live-streamed as they had requested. However, arrangements were made to video record the meeting. With permission from the Supreme Court, this recording could have been shared with the doctors.
“I tried thrice to hold talks with junior doctors to end RG Kar stalemate. I apologise to Bengal people who expected an end to RG Kar impasse today,” the Chief Minister said.
“We had conveyed in our letter that live streaming will not be possible but had given our assurances that we would have the whole session recorded for documentation and posterity. The chief minister is waiting for them for the last hour and half. There should be a limit to such demands. We have tried to convince the doctors but they have still not accepted. We request them to consider attending this meeting,” said Chief Secretary Pant.
Earlier today, the West Bengal government issued a new invitation to the protesting junior doctors, proposing a meeting to address their concerns. The protests were sparked by the tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The protesting doctors, who are staging a sit-in near Swasthya Bhawan in Kolkata, had written to the government on Wednesday requesting that a 30-member delegation be permitted to attend a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to address their concerns. They also sought a live stream of the meeting for transparency. While the government consented to Chief Minister Banerjee’s presence at the meeting, it declined the request for a live broadcast of the discussions.
Additionally, the government limited the delegation size to no more than 15 members, contrary to the protesters’ request for 30.
The letter by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant states that the government was “open to meeting the delegates to ensure smooth functioning of the healthcare infrastructure in the state”, but “cannot be in any manner contrary to the directions passed by the Supreme Court for resumption of work”.
“The meeting will not be live telecast. However, it can be recorded to maintain transparency. This will serve your purpose while also preserving the sanctity of the proceedings and ensuring that all discussions are accurately documented,” the Chief Secretary wrote in his letter. The protesting doctors have not yet responded to the communication.
Image source: Mathrubhumi English
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