The joint forum of government doctors has warned that they will go on a strike on June 25 to protest against the decrease in non-practicing allowance (NPA) under the Sixth Pay Commission.

The joint forum involves doctors of the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS), PCMS specialist doctors, rural medical officers, doctors in the fields of Homoeopathy, Ayurveda, and veterinary sciences, working with government departments.

Dr Gagandeep Singh, President, PCMS Doctors Association, Punjab said that this is probably the first instance that all government doctors practicing in different disciplines have come together to fight for a common cause. He mentioned that previously, the NPA was 25% of their basic and formed a part of the basic salary. However, the Sixth Pay Commission, meant to enhance the pay scales, has decreased it to 20% of their basic salary and has also broken the connection between NPA and the basic salary. He said that this will decrease their salary. At a time when doctors should be getting an extra allowance for working hard as COVID warriors and assisting the administration in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, their pay is being reduced.

The doctors have submitted memorandums to Deputy Commissioners across Punjab to register their protest. Dr Rohit Rampal, a member of PCMS association from Ludhiana, said that delinking NPA from basic salary will mean that their future incentives and increments will also be decreased as all increments and incentives are based on the basic salary. He added that their pensions will also be affected.

An ENT specialist from Mansa, Dr Ranjit Rai, did not take any leaves last year and worked to collect samples of suspected COVID-19 patients said that they want that NPA be increased to 30%, and that doctors must receive a special allowance for working against COVID-19. Further, it should be linked with basic salary as it was earlier. 

Inderveer Singh Gill, Secretary, PCMS doctors association said that the entire medical system will take a hit if the joint forum goes on a strike. 

Source: The Indian Express