Monday, May 22 2006 11:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The medicos' hunger strike against the Government proposals for OBC quotas in educational institutions entered its ninth day today (May 22, 2006), but the protesting students scaled down their demands to resolve the impasse.

"We are now demanding that the proposal for OBC quotas should not be implemented unless the expert committee submits its review report on the existing reservation policy," student leader Amitasha Sinha, whose Youth for Equality grouping had insisted on a complete withdrawal of the reservation proposals, told sources.

The striking medicos are also expected to meet Union Health Secretary P C Hota later in the day for a second meeting with him in as many days. The protesting students have already turned down Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's appeal to call off their strike.

A new batch of medical students replaced their colleagues who had been on the hunger strike at AIIMS for eight days to protest moves for 27 per cent OBC reservations in elite educational institutions.

Striking senior resident doctors remained defiant to notices to vacate the hostels, saying they would continue with their agitation till their demands were met.

Junior doctors of medical colleges and hospitals also continued their strike that has paralysed health services in the capital.

After the meeting with the Health Secretary yesterday, student leaders said the Government has not offered anything new to resolve the issue except for increasing the number of general seats in educational institutions.