Ranchi, Oct 26 (IANS): Doctors in Jharkhand threatened mass resignation on Monday if the state government did not withdraw the new leave system.

"On Sunday, we met the principal secretary of the chief minister and apprised him about our concern. If the state government does not withdraw the decision, we will go on mass leave on November 2 and tender mass resignation on November 15," Bimlesh Singh, president of Jharkhand State Health Service Association (JHSA), told reporters on Monday.

November 15 is the day the state of Jharkhand came into being.

As per the new system, the doctors and teachers posted in rural areas will have to seek leave from 'mukhiyas' (village heads).

The mukhiyas have also been empowered to check their attendance.

The new system has not gone down well with the doctors. More than 600 doctors under the JHSA took out a protest march on Sunday.

The agitating doctors were on their way to blockade the chief minister's residence but were stopped near the governor's house. The doctors then staged a sit-in near the governor's house.

Complaints were lodged against more than 200 doctors for engaging in a scuffle with police.

The doctors are receiving support from the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

"Why only doctors and teachers, civil servants and police officials should also be brought under the panchayat raj system," Bhati Kashyap, IMA women's wing president, told IANS.

A teachers' association has also announced it will join the protest against the new leave system.

The teachers will launch a signature drive against the new system and hand over a memorandum to Chief Minister Raghubar Das. On November 15, they will protest before the chief minister.