PUNE: Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) called off the statewide strike on Thursday. This step was taken by the MARD as the government slapped section 2 of the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA), 2011 on Wednesday.

In an official letter by the Medical Education and Drugs Department issued on Wednesday, Government of Maharashtra hereby prohibits the strike/ mass bunk in the said essential service in the public interest, with effect from the date of publication of the order in the Maharashtra Government Gazette.

About 4,000 members of the MARD called off the indefinite strike which started on August 7. 

The primary opposition was against the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill. Along with NMC, MARD had other demands as well.

MARD was also protesting against the delay in payment, non-increment despite sanctioned funds and need for more sanctioned leave for maternity as well as for resident doctors suffering from tuberculosis.

Members of Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors said that with the current flood-like situation in the State, they decided to call off the mass bunk. 

They said the future course of action has not been decided yet by state doctors association.