Mamata Banerjee hikes salary of govt doctors, seeks strict punishment for RG Kar case culprit
Kolkata, Feb 24 (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced a salary hike for government doctors in the range of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000.
Banerjee, who is also the health minister of the state, announced a fund of Rs 2 crore for each medical college in the state for their cultural and sporting activities.
The CM also demanded strict punishment for the culprit in the rape and murder of an on-duty medic inside state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August last year, which triggered widespread agitation by doctors who demanded justice for the deceased, workplace security and redressal of several grievances.
The trial court has sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment till death after he was convicted of rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The case is now pending in the Calcutta High Court.
Banerjee, while addressing a gathering of senior and junior doctors and medical students here, Banerjee highlighted her government's efforts to ensure justice and emphasised the introduction of the Aparajita Bill, which seeks capital punishment for rape convicts.
Lauding the roles of the medics in providing healthcare services, she announced a salary hike of Rs 15,000 for senior doctors, and Rs 10,000 for junior doctors including the interns, house staff and post-graduate trainees.
"Senior doctors teach the junior doctors many things. I will request the senior doctors not to leave everything on the juniors be it a C-section or a cardiac surgery. Give at least eight hours of your service for government hospitals and then carry on with your private practice. I don't have any problem with that," she said.
Banerjee also extended the distance limit for government doctors' private practice from 20 to 30 kilometres from their workplace.
Referring to the death of a woman and four others falling ill after childbirth due to the alleged administration of 'expired' intravenous fluid on them at the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital earlier this year, Banerjee emphasised that "medical negligence" was responsible for that incident.
Banerjee revoked the suspension of 12 doctors of Midnapore Medical College and Hospital in connection with the death of the woman.
"There was definitely medical negligence in Midnapore Medical College and Hospital matter. An investigation is being done and for that, I will not say anything more. Some of the junior doctors were suspended and police have probed into their roles. Thinking about their future, I have decided to withdraw the suspension," she said.
Banerjee started addressing the programme with the RG Kar hospital issue.
"I extend my condolences to the family of the sister who was killed in RG Kar hospital. We demand proper punishment in this case," Banerjee said.
"I had also taken to the streets in protest against the incident. Our government had passed the Aparajita Bill, but it is still pending (with the President)," she said.
The Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill, 2024 was unanimously passed by the West Bengal Assembly in September last. The Bill proposes capital punishment for rape convicts if their crime results in the victim's death or leaves her in a vegetative state.
Earlier this month, several Trinamool Congress MPs met President Droupadi Murmu to discuss the pending Bill, which was sent to the President's office by Governor CV Ananda Bose.
"I entrust my brothers with the responsibility of protecting our sisters and preventing such incidents in the future. Today, there is no gender disparity, which is a very positive development. The government will certainly do its part, but I believe you (brothers) can take a proactive role in this matter," she added.
Monday's meeting witnessed the participation of over 2,000 junior and senior doctors from across the state.
The West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front, which spearheaded the agitation following the rape and murder of their colleague, boycotted the event.
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Speaker Khader dismisses BJP's charges of 'delay' in swearing-in of Jeevaraj as MLA
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Wednesday rejected opposition BJP's allegations of delaying the swearing-in of D N Jeevaraj as MLA, asserting that the process was being handled strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions and rules.
BJP candidate Jeevaraj, who had lost the 2023 Sringeri Assembly election to Congress leader T D Raje Gowda, was declared elected late Sunday night after reverification and recounting of postal ballots in compliance with a High Court order.
The recount reduced 255 votes from Gowda's tally, overturning his earlier victory margin of 201 votes and reversing the result.
The recount followed an election petition filed by Jeevaraj.
Addressing reporters, Khader maintained that there was no delay in administering the oath to Jeevaraj, who was declared elected from the Sringeri Assembly constituency after a High Court-ordered recount of postal ballots.
“Where have we delayed? The application was submitted at 11 am. If an application is given in the morning and by evening someone says it’s delayed — how is that a delay?” he said, dismissing the allegations.
The Speaker said the matter involved 'technical issues' that required examination before fixing a date for oath-taking.
“When such a matter comes, we also need to examine it and take a decision as per rules. If an application is given in the morning, at least 24 hours must be given,” he said.
Khader stressed that his role was bound by the Constitution and not influenced by political considerations.
“When an elected MLA asks for time, we must give it under the Constitution and law. Can we refuse? No, we have to give it,” he said, rejecting suggestions that he was acting under party pressure.
He also underlined the need for trust in democratic institutions amid the controversy.
“A democracy and parliamentary system must function on trust. Without that, how can democracy be strengthened? Trust is essential,” he said, cautioning against creating suspicion around constitutional positions.
On claims that the delay was linked to the ongoing political and legal dispute over the recount, Khader said the issue did not fall within his purview.
“My responsibility is to act as per the Constitution and rules. I will ensure that whatever is due to them is done as soon as possible,” the Speaker explained.
He said he had already communicated his position when contacted and would formally inform the concerned parties. “There is no delay, nor any intention to delay. I will discharge my duties as per the Constitution,” he said.
Khader also pointed to possible legal complications in hastily administering the oath.
“If I give the oath to one person and tomorrow the court declares someone else the winner, what happens then? Will it automatically cancel? Will confusion arise?” he asked, indicating the need for due diligence.
On concerns that Jeevaraj had lost over two years of tenure, the Speaker said representation was linked to that constituency rather than an individual.
“Whoever becomes the MLA represents the constituency. Benefits are not given to an individual,” he said, adding that issues of alleged irregularities should be examined by the Election Commission.
The remarks come after the Leader of Opposition BJP in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka on Wednesday accused the Speaker of 'deliberately' delaying the oath and approached Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot seeking intervention, even suggesting that the Governor administer the oath if required.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed the process 'Vote Dacoity' by Jeevaraj and said an FIR has been registered against the newly elected Sringeri MLA.
Defending the recount process, Jeevaraj denied allegations of tampering, while the High Court has stayed an FIR filed against him in connection with the postal ballot issue.
