The West Bengal government announced on Saturday that the mass resignations submitted by doctors from state-run hospitals are not valid, as they must be submitted individually as per the service rules.
Various doctors collectively signed resignation letters demanding justice for a post-graduate trainee who was raped and murdered at Kolkata's R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. They were also supporting junior doctors who were on a hunger strike pressing for their demands.
"Unless an employee sends in his/her resignation personally to the employer as per service rules, it is not a resignation letter," Alapan Bandyopadhyay, chief advisor to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, news agency PTI reported. He explained that the collective letters lacked specific addressing, making them symbolic rather than official.
ALSO READ | RG Kar Impasse: More Doctors To Join Protest Today As Condition Of Fasting Medics Deteriorates
Mass Resignation From Other State-Run Hospitals
Bandyopadhyay also noted the government's intention to address confusion surrounding the resignations of senior doctors from hospitals like R G Kar Medical College, IPGMER, and SSKM Hospital.
Earlier this week, senior doctors at R G Kar Medical College submitted a "mass resignation" letter in solidarity with junior colleagues. Similar letters were later sent from other state-run hospitals.
According to a report by PTI, Junior doctors from various government hospitals of the state are also in a fast-unto-death demand of justice for the murder of their colleague, the resignation of the state's health secretary, and improved workplace safety.
Despite these protests, the government assured that healthcare services remain unaffected, with senior doctors continuing their duties. The junior doctors from state-run medical colleges and hospitals had called off their 'total cease work' on October 4.