Himachal govt docs in protest mode from Jan 18, will wear black arms bands on duty
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Angry over govt’s failure to fulfill promises made regarding their demands
The Newz Radar
Mandi: Government doctors in Himachal Pradesh will wear black armbands while on duty from January 18. This action stems from the Chief Minister’s failure to fulfill promises made seven months ago regarding their demands.
In a meeting of the Himachal Medical Officers Association in Mandi, chaired by Dr Amit, the district Mandi head, representatives from all block executive committees and the Resident Doctors’ Association were present.
The meeting expressed strong discontent over the Chief Minister’s failure to honour his assurances made on June 3, 2023, to the Joint Struggle Committee of the Himachal Pradesh Medical Officers Association. Specifically, the inclusion of Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) during the appointment of specialist doctors remains unimplemented. Currently, specialists appointed on contract in Himachal Pradesh receive the country’s lowest salary of Rs 33,660.
The association was surprised that despite the Chief Minister’s promise to delegate responsibilities to the departmental officer instead of the project director of the AIDS Control Society, and the reinstatement of powers of the principal and senior health officer at the Medical College, no such actions have taken place.
In the health department, medical officers have been denied promotions to the positions of district medical officer or deputy director for almost a decade. There is a demand for them to receive benefits under the Central government’s Dynamic Career Progression Scheme.
Healthcare professionals in remote areas of Himachal Pradesh work tirelessly, earning significantly less than their counterparts in states like Bihar or the Central government. Removing NPA from pension calculations is deemed unfortunate.
The association urged the reinstatement of traditional provisions for doctors as assured by the Chief Minister.
