Govt doctors in TN threaten strike over pay and promotions

Govt doctors in TN threaten strike over pay and promotions 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  21.01.2026

Chennai : Govt doctors in Tamil Nadu threatened to go on strike and boycott patient care if their demands for higher pay and time-bound promotions were not met. While different associations presented different recommendations on how it must be implemented, all associations insisted on better pay and a better working environment.

On Monday, associations met with health and finance officials to present their demands. The federation of govt doctors’ associations (FOGDA) said promotions and increments must be given in the 4th, 9th and 13th year of service, against the present system, where promotions come in 8, 15, 17 and 20 years of service. “We insisted that govt order number 354, issued in 2009 must be implemented,” said FOGDA convenor Dr A Ramalingam. 

Doctors argued that teachers joining arts and science, engineering or veterinary colleges earned far more than doctors working at govt medical colleges. “We offer patient care and teaching, but we are paid less,” he said. For instance, after 20 years of service, associate professors in other colleges earned at least ₹25,000 more every month compared with specialists in medical colleges, and professors earned at least ₹75,000 more every month, he said. Tamil Nadu govt doctors association asked for first promotion for a doctor when he or she got a postgraduate medical or diploma degree. “In the 5th and 10th year after this, they must get their second and third promotions. This means they would get the 4th pay grade by their 17th year of service. We asked for UGC scale payment with time-bound promotions,” said TNGDA president Dr K Senthil. 

The association also insisted the govt must allow doctors in all three directorates to take their eligible leave without hindrance. “Doctors are allowed to take off on public holidays and an additional 12 days as casual leave. If there is any emergency beyond this, they will have to lose their service seniority for leave,” he said. “Doctors swipe attendance even on days they are sick. This is inhuman and violates all labour  laws. At least 70% of the doctors who appear for transfer or promotion counselling are shifted to places that are more than 30km away from their families. We decided to agitate if the govt does not address this,” said Dr Senthil. 

FOGDA said they will go on a two-day token hunger strike in Chennai from Jan 28 in the first phase. “All govt doctors were instructed to continue their duties while wearing or holding protest badges, but if the state does not meet our demands, we will boycott patient care. We are left with no choice,” Dr Ramalingam said.