Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) spokesman, Dr Rajas Deshpande today stated that they have been petitioning the government since January 1998 but there had been no response till they gave a strike notice.

However, the discussions were fruitless as the government cited severe financial crunch as the reason for not giving the resident doctors a pay hike, he said. ``But at the same time, the government finds money to give bonus to its employees and to buy cars for its ministers,'' he said.

The strike will start simultaneously in all the government medical colleges in the state, Dr Deshpande said. Meanwhile, the resident doctors will continue to meet the press at the MARD office within the hospital premises despite a notice from the authorities that prohibits them, headded.

Various non government associations including the Association of Medical Consultants and the College Teachers Union, have supported the strike as they feel that the demands of the resident doctors are just.