Amidst the pandemic, medical services were badly hit in Punjab on Friday after doctors of the state-run hospitals joined a day-long strike to protest against the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations on de-linking non-practising allowance (NPA) from the basic pay.
The call for strike was given by the Joint Punjab Government Doctors Coordination Committee, which is supported by the Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association, the Punjab Medical Teachers Association, the Rural Medical Officers Association, the Punjab Dental Medical Officers Association and the Punjab Ayurveda Officers Association.
Jointly addressing the media persons, the doctors said, “Till now, Punjab government was giving NPA equal to 25% of the primary salary to its government doctors. This NPA has been treated as part of the primary salary for every benefit. But it is a matter of great sadness that the Sixth Pay Commission constituted by state government has recommended that the NPAs should be reduced from 25% to 20% and that no allowance other than the primary salary should be made part of the primary pay.”
Dr Gagandeep Singh, state president, Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS), said, “Doctors are risking their lives every day in this pandemic. We hoped for a financial gift from the Sixth Pay Commission. It has, however, reduced the NPA, which has resulted in huge financial loss to our community.”
Medical services in the out-patient departments (OPDs) were severely affected due to the strike. However, emergency services were exempted from the strike. The patients and their attendants blamed the government. The impact of the strike was seen more in rural areas of the state.
“The common man suffers more because of the strike as they can’t afford the costly private treatment,” said Gurdev Singh, a resident of Amritsar who brought his mother for treatment.
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday constituted a committee of ministers to resolve the grievances of the employees.
Local Government Minister Brahm Mohindra, Finance Minister Manpreet Badal, Social Justice Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Medical Education and Research Minister OP Soni and Health Minister Balbir Sidhu will be a part of the committee.
The Chief Minister also directed the Chief Secretary to constitute an officers’ committee to personally hear the grievances of the employees of various departments.
