Date:08/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/07/08/stories/2005070803870600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Government not to have talks with junior doctors

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Government has decided not to invite junior doctors for fresh talks in the wake of their threat to go on indefinite strike from Saturday.

The Government has blamed the newly constituted Joint Action Committee for not respecting the directions of the Andhra Pradesh High Court and termed their decision as `extreme' and `hasty.' In response to a petition filed in the High Court by the AP Junior Doctors Associations, the Government was given time till July 11 to file its counter. "Even before the Government has filed its counter, is it proper on their part to launch another strike from Saturday?" questioned a senior official of the Health Department. "They are complicating the whole issue by adopting tough posture," he added. "They have not bothered to serve us a notice for the fresh strike."