Chennai: The Federation of Govt Doctors’ Associations in Tamil Nadu said it would begin a hunger strike in the city on March 5, escalating its demand for a pay rise and other long-pending service demands such as timely promotions. The doctors demand implementation of GO 354 issued by M Karunanidhi as chief minister and a 3,000 allowance for doctors working in all PHCs. The federation held discussions with health minister Ma Subramaniam and senior officials. “They promised to help. We held a series of protests, including a 48-hour fast. But no solution ensued. We decided to escalate the protest to a fast unto death,” convenor Dr A Ramalingam said. “We urge the chief minister’s urgent intervention,” he said. TNN
