The doctors, who are demanding increase in stipend, observed a token fast on Tuesday as a mark of protest. Talking to Express Newsline, Mehul Desai of the association claimed that junior doctors in other states were paid more than Rs 8,000 per month, whereas here they were paid only Rs 4,000 monthly.

He regretted that despite several representations and strikes the concerned authorities were yet to take cognizance of their demands. ``Even Minister of State for Health Ashok Bhatt came here several times and memoranda were also submitted, but to no avail,'' he added.

Desai said if the government failed to honour their demands, they would open a parallel casualty ward but would not render any other service.

Meanwhile, with the agitating doctors on strike, senior doctors attended to their work. Work at the casualty ward was also affected as there were not enough senior doctors to treat the 500-odd patients who had come for check-ups.

Besides the 350-odd resident doctors, 500 interns also joined the strike on Tuesday. Desai, however, said the interns would not be part of the indefinite strike.

Desai said among their other demands was that the government should give student to diploma-holders and a number of non-stipend seats should be converted into stipend seats.

Desai claimed that the diploma-holders put in the same number of hours as junior doctors yet did not get due recognition.