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The ongoing impasse between the West Bengal government and protesting junior doctors has taken a new turn with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's announcement of compensation for families of those who died due to the lack of medical services during the doctors' 'cease work' protest. This move has been met with sharp criticism from the BJP, which has labeled it a political ploy to weaken the doctors' movement.
The situation escalated after the tragic death of a postgraduate trainee doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata. The doctor was allegedly raped and murdered, leading to the junior doctors' strike on August 9th, demanding improved security and better working conditions. Their refusal to engage in talks with the government unless the meeting was broadcast live further fueled the tensions. Amid this stalemate, Banerjee's decision to offer Rs 2 lakh to the families of 29 individuals who died due to the disruption in health services caused by the strike has been met with mixed reactions.
While some see it as a humanitarian gesture aimed at providing relief to grieving families, others, including the BJP, view it as an attempt to undermine the doctors' legitimate demands. Amit Malviya, the party's IT cell chief, has accused Banerjee of prioritizing her ego over the well-being of the people by rejecting the Centre-backed Ayushman Bharat scheme and instead promoting the state's Swasthay Sathi Scheme, which he claims is ineffective. The BJP has called for the resignation of the state's health minister, blaming him for the deaths and the current situation.
The controversy surrounding the compensation offer highlights the deep political divide between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP in West Bengal. While the government attempts to address the concerns of the families affected by the strike, the opposition sees the move as a political maneuver aimed at silencing the doctors' protests. The ongoing conflict, however, underscores the need for a constructive dialogue between the doctors, the government, and all stakeholders involved to find a lasting solution to the challenges facing the state's healthcare system.