THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: House surgeons of CSI medical college Karakonam who are on strike demanding hike in stipend, alleged that they are being forced to vacate hostels by the management. The house surgeons who are on a peaceful protest, alleged that anti social elements were trying to intimidate them at the behest of the management.
Threatening calls are being made to the homes of striking house surgeons. Parents are being warned that their children would have to face dire consequences if they didn't withdraw from the strike.
As many as 102 house surgeons are on strike since Sunday demanding stipend on par with the government medical colleges in the state which is Rs 20,000. At the moment the house surgeons are getting just Rs 3,975 per month which they say was too less.
The house surgeons had submitted a representation the government and James Committee seeking enhancement in stipend. They have apprised health minister V S Sivakumar about the threats. Meanwhile, James Committee has now called a meeting with the management on May 17 to discuss the matter.
Sources said the management was planning to hike stipend by 30 to 40 per cent which comes to Rs 5,600. The management, however, denied the allegations of the house surgeons. “Due to financial constraints we have not been able to enhance the stipend. But we assured the house surgeons that we will take a positive decision soon and enhance stipend to a reasonable amount. Since the matter needs to be discussed at various levels of management committees, some time is needed to sort out the issue. But some people misguided the house surgeons and they went on a strike," said Dr Bennet Abraham, director CSI Karakonam Medical College.
He alleged that a section of house surgeons had entered into arguments with patients coming to the hospital creating tension in the campus. In view of this the principal had issued notices to the striking house surgeons to vacate the hostels and go back to their homes. .
Dr Abraham said at the moment Rs 4,000 was being paid as stipend to the house surgeons along with free water and electricity. The house surgeons have decided to continue their strike till the stipend is increased.
