Maharashtra invokes MESMA against striking doctors

Cracking down, Maharashtra government on Wednesday night invoked the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act against striking resident doctors demanding stop to assault on medicos and gave them four-hour ultimatum to return to work.

"We have started issuing notices to 1940 such resident doctors in Mumbai who are on strike for their various demands that if they don't report to duty within four hours of being served the notice the provisions of MESMA will become applicable," Deputy Municipal Commissioner Vijay Kalam-Patil told reporters late on Wednesday.

He said the strike has been declared illegal under MESMA and the process to deregister the resident doctors with the Mumbai University would be initiated if they do not report to duty within four hours of receiving the notice.

"We have also warned them that if they fail to abide by the notice, their residential quarters would be forcibly vacated," Kalam-Patil said adding appropriate noting would be made in these doctors' experience certificate, which would go against their career.