Docs moved to health dept unpaid since June

Docs moved to health dept unpaid since June

1k Pb Dispensary Paramedics Also Await Pay

Vinod.Kumar3@timesgroup.com

Chandigarh:13.10.2021

MBBS doctors and paramedic staff engaged in Covid-19 duties, who were transferred from the department of rural development and panchayats to the health department, have been waiting for salaries for almost four months now. That too, despite repeated directions from the director health services for the immediate release of their remuneration.

The Punjab government had shifted 618 out of 1,183 dispensaries run by the rural department to the health department along with staff and infrastructure in June this year. In this process, 129 rural medical officers and about 1,000 paramedic staff were transferred.

Taking note of the delay, director health services in a letter to civil surgeons on September 15 had issued directions for the immediate release of salaries and civil surgeons were even warned that if the staff move court, they will be held responsible for the same.

Sources said lack of clarity regarding pay structure has led to delay in the release of salaries. Civil surgeons of different districts have sought clarity from the director health services on salary to be paid to them, whether they are to be paid as per last drawn salary or new salary has to be fixed.

Terming it as an alibi to harass them, a doctor said that out of 129, three doctors – two in Patiala and one in Mansa – have started receiving their monthly remuneration from the health department. The doctor added, “If there was an issue of lack of clarity, how come three doctors posted at two districts are getting their pay?”

“We are facing lot of financial problems and most of us have used our savings to meet day-to-expenses and payment of bills and EMI’s,” rued another doctor.

Punjab deputy chief minister O P Soni, who is also health minister, of the state, said that he will look into the matter and assured that their salaries will be released at the earliest.

ANOTHER UNHAPPY LOT

DOCTORS PROTEST

The medical officers with the rural department have been pressing for implementation of dynamic assured carrier progression scheme. The services of rural medical officers were regularised in May 2011 with entry level pay scale of Rs 15,600-39,100 plus grade pay of Rs 5,400, which is equal to the entry level pay of medical officers of the health department. Even after rendering regular service for over 10 years, they are still waiting for their first grade pay revision from Rs 5,400 to Rs 6,600. Punjab rural development and panchayats minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa in May this year had formed a three-member committee to look into the matter, but nothing has happened to date. Association of Rural Medical Officers president Dr Jagjeet Bajwa said the government has been depriving rural doctors of their legitimate right of DACP despite being at the forefront during tough Covid times. “The scheme will cost the government only Rs 9 crore a year,” said Dr Bajwa, who urged chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi to consider their long pending demand.