Over 3,000 medical teachers from across the state have engaged themselves in relay hunger strike to demand regularisation of posts, time bound promotions and pay scale hikes, apart form better working conditions.

The Cabinet on Wednesday allowed the medical teacher to go for private practice while allowing a hike in allowance for professors who do not opt for it. The departments in medical colleges have been allowed to re-appoint staff members till the age of 62 —two years after retirement — and extend the services further, till the age of 65 years of age, if need be. The government also said that services of those lecturers who have completed two years of probation period and have been appointed on a temporary basis, will be regularised.

“We have welcomed the government’s decision to allow private practice. But we are not entirely satisfied with the government's decision on other issues. We had a meeting with the minister today. He heard our problems and was very positive in his response,” said the MSMTA president NN Ramraje. A meeting has been scheduled for Saturday between the minister and teachers where there will be further discussion on the issue.