THE Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) withdrew its strike after the state government in a speeded up effort to deliver justice transferred Dr. Makrand Vyavhare, HoD of Forensic Science at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Nagpur to Chandrapur Government Medical College.

MARD had been on strike demanding action against Vyavhare, who had allegedly driven post graduate student Nitin Sharnagat to attempt suicide and had sexually harassed a girl student. Vyavhare had also allegedly tried to threaten student and other staffers saying that his brother-in-law is state finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar. Both Mungantiwar and Vyavhare had denied the charges and called them baseless.

Surprise Move

The government also transferred GMCH dean Abhimanyu Niswade, who had earlier removed Vyavhare from the post of vice dean following the allegations, to Nanded. Another teacher Sameer Golawar, associate professor, community medicine, was transferred to Dhule.

MARD, however, had sought no action against the two. “It was not part of our demands, so we have nothing to do with it,” MARD secretary Aayud Mukadm told The Indian Express. When contacted, Niswade said, “I have worked for the institution with complete dedication and this is how the government has rewarded me for that.”

Noticeably, the Chandrapur GMC, where Vyavhare has been transferred to, has no post graduate department.

MARD thanked state education minister Vinod Tawde for also accepting their other pending demands such as three-month maternity leave as well as TB leave for resident doctors, increase in stipend with arrears in December and implementation of free ship decision for backward class students.“This is for the first time anywhere in India that resident doctors will be getting maternity and TB leave both,” Mukadm said.

Original Post: The Indian Express

Image Credits: mid-day.com

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