The doctors are demanding hike in stipend, strict implementation of the Doctors Protection Act, two- month maternity leave for female doctors and fixed working hours, among others.

Around 4000 doctors across Maharashtra have begun their indefinite strike after talks between resident doctors and the state government failed to reach a compromise on Wednesday on their demand for increase in stipend.In Mumbai, 2000 doctors are participating in the strike.Sagar Mundada, President of the Central Board of Maharashtra Resident Doctors - the association that has called the strike - said their demands include hike in stipend, strict implementation of the Doctors Protection Act, two- month maternity leave for female doctors and fixed working hours, among others.Mundada said while treating TB patients, if a doctor contracts the illness, he/she would get six months leave.He said resident doctors have been demanding that they be relieved from the mandatory bond service (to work in rural areas) if there is no vacancy for them within a month after completing the MD degree.Mundada said during the bond service, resident doctors should be given duties in area of their specialisation.