The State-wide strike launched by junior doctors across Government medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh on Monday morning has been temporarily suspended. Following a productive meeting between a delegation from the Junior Doctors’ Association and Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, the association has decided to defer their protest until March 16. The State Government has assured a concrete decision regarding pending demands, specifically stipend revision and arrears payment, within the next five to seven days. Nearly 8,000 resident doctors, senior residents, and interns across the state had proceeded on strike at 9 am on Monday to protest the delay in stipend adjustments. The JDA delegation met with the Deputy Chief Minister and the Health Commissioner to discuss the issues in detail. Kuldeep Gupta, former president of JUDA, stated that the Government exhibited a positive stance and promised swift administrative action.

 

Consequently, the Junior Doctors’ Association decided to pause all protest activities until next Monday. Earlier in the day, the strike had caused significant disruption across medical college hospitals, leaving many patients waiting for hours or forced to return without receiving treatment. The core grievance of the junior doctors involves the implementation of the Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based stipend revision, which was scheduled to take effect from April 1, 2025, as per Government orders. The doctors alleged that despite multiple representations, the arrears have not been cleared. The JDA has clarified that the current suspension is temporary. A representative warned that if the government fails to issue formal orders by March 16 as promised, the association will intensify the agitation across all Government-run medical institutions in the State.