Docs appointed to Covid centres quit over salary cuts in Kerala

Docs appointed to Covid centres quit over salary cuts in Kerala

870 Medics Say Will Not Work After Sept 10, Seek Vijayan’s Intervention

Rajiv.G@timesgroup.com

Thiruvananthapuram:  02.09.2020

Nearly 870 doctors appointed to Covid first-line treatment centres (FLTCs) across Kerala have tendered their resignation over deductions in their salary. They were among the 1,080 MBBS graduates who passed out of government medical colleges this year and appointed on Covid duty on a temporary basis.

While they were promised ₹42,000 a month, what each finally gets is ₹27,000. “From the amount, ₹8,400 was deducted in the name of the government’s salary challenge, apart from TDS and professional tax. Now, we are getting only ₹27,000,” said Dr Ousam Hussain KP, state president of Kerala junior doctors association 2020-21.

The association has fired letters to the chief minister and health minister seeking their urgent intervention. In the letter, they stated they will not be available for service after September 10 if their grievances are not settled.

“The government in its order had made it clear that salaries of doctors appointed under NHM should not be cut in the name of salary challenge. We were also appointed as temporary medical officers for Covid duty, but there is a different set of rules for us,” said Dr Krishnapriya TS, general secretary of the association.

The appointment was for a period of three months and a few who joined in May have completed this tenure. “The government is likely to extend the service of these doctors since there is huge demand for healthcare workers, particularly with the caseload increasing in the state. However, we are being forced to resign since the government is not ready to listen to our grievances,” said Dr Hussain.

Even though these doctors were appointed in May and June, they started getting their salaries in August after they decided to approach the high court. “We had given several representations against the salary cuts to the authorities concerned. But there has been no response,” said Dr Hussain.

WHO’S THERE? People wait outside Kochi’s Aluva General Hospital for Covid test on Tuesday

No pay, perks for Palakkad dist hosp staff

Palakkad:

More than 100 temporary employees of the district hospital in Palakkad, under the Hospital Development Council, have not received their salary and Onam bonus due to alleged lapses on the part of the hospital administration.

The Kerala Government Hospital Development Employees Union, affiliated to the CITU, has alleged that bills were not prepared by the administration staff before the bank holidays. Due to the fall in hospital income following the pandemic the state government had allotted Rs 30 lakh from the CM’s relief fund for the purpose, union officials said.

Hospital superintendent Dr K Remadevi however said she had not received any complaint about non-payment of salary and bonus till August 27. TNN