The government on Friday issued showcause notices to resident doctors on strike, asking them to resume work by 2 pm on Saturday or face expulsion from their respective medical colleges.

The notice is being sent individually to the 2,993 doctors on strike, through the Director of Medical Education and Research (DMER). “Deans of colleges will serve the notices on the doctors,” said Dr Pravin Shinghare, deputy director, DMER.

“Under rule 10.3.8, the state can expel doctors who go on strike and refer the matter to the Maharashtra University of Health Services for cancellation of their registration. They will not be eligible to appear for their postgraduation exams either,” said Bhushan Gagrani, principal secretary for medical education.

In Pune, Gagrani said no appeal from the doctors will be entertained. He dismissed their demand for the Central Residency Scheme, saying it is not applicable to Maharashtra. The showcause notices were issued under the State Residency Scheme, 1996.

The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) remained unfazed. Its president Dr Jeevan Rajput said, “It’s do or die.” Secretary Dr Anil Dudhbhate added, “The notice hasn’t come to us yet but we will continue the strike.”

The medical college in Aurangabad has received the notice. At KEM, dean Dr Sanjay Oak said, “Once we get the instructions, we will carry it out.”

The state move comes after Jan Manch, a citizens’ forum, filed a writ in the Nagpur bench of the High Court. “In 2007, the state government had given an undertaking that if resident doctors go on strike, it will expel them,” said Anil Kilor, Jan Manch lawyer.

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