After meeting President A P J Abdul Kalam, the striking doctors of the five medical colleges in Delhi had a half an hour meeting with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and placed their views before him.
"A group of 12-14 doctors met Dr Singh and looked in positive frame of mind when they left the 7, Race Course Road," said a senior functionary of the Prime Minister's Office. The doctors had a long meeting with senior Congress leader Oscar Fernandes late last night and Fernandes organised the meeting with Dr Singh.
Doctors said after the meeting that they would consult their colleagues and take a decision on calling off the strike.
"The prime minister assured them that the roadmap laid down by the United Progressive Alliance coordination committee had addressed the concerns of all categories of students. He assured them that he foresees a massive expansion in capacities of the higher education system which would see a huge growth in the educational opportunities available to all classes and categories of students. Therefore, they need not be worried about shrinking educational opportunities," a press handout issued by the media advisor to prime minister Dr Sanjaya Baru said.
Dr Singh told the students that a technical expert groups being set up under an oversight committee will examine ways and means of expanding capacities and the government is committed to the expansion. They could give their specific suggestions to these committees.
The meeting was attended by All India Institute of Medical Sciences director P Venugopal, Health Secretary P C Hota, Principal Advisor to Prime Minister T K A Nair and representatives of the agitating doctors and students.
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