Taking a tough stand against striking doctors, the J-K government on Monday filed caveats in the high court — both at Jammu and Srinagar Benches — to prevent the medicos from challenging government decisions. The move followed failure of talks between the government and the striking doctors.

A public interest litigation has also been filed in the high court for ending the strike. The PIL has referred to reports of deaths in hospitals and suffering caused to patients.

“We have filed caveats for all government orders against the doctors, both in Jammu and Srinagar,” J-K’s Advocate General Ishaq Qadiri told The Indian Express. “We have asked the court to hear the government before issuing any stay order, in case doctors moved the court to challenge the government decision”.

Sources said the striking doctors had met political advisor to Chief Minister Devender Rana and finalised an agreement draft. However, the doctors backed out at the last moment over the change of language in the draft by the government.

According to the draft that was prepared, the government has decided to withdraw the suspension of the doctors who were shunted out two days ago. The government has already suspended 26 doctors for joining the strike and deputed many doctors back to their department. The government has also threatened the striking doctors with termination, if they didn’t report to their duties immediately.

Meanwhile, the day-long walk-in interview to appoint doctors to replace the striking medicos saw a lukewarm response from aspirants. At the end of the day, only 47 applications were received which fell woefully short of the required number.

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