Government doctors in Punjab had gone on a three-day strike for protesting against issues related to the non-practicing allowance (NPA). 

Dr. Gagandeep Singh, Punjab Civil Medical Services Association President said that health services, including outpatient department services and elective surgeries, will remain suspended in government hospitals. But emergency services, post-mortem, and Covid-related services will continue.

Doctors are protesting against Punjab′s sixth pay commission that has de-linked the non-practicing allowance from their basic pay. They are annoyed that the pay commission′s sanction of reducing the NPA from 25 to 20 percent.

The Joint Punjab Government Doctors Coordination Committee has called the strike. It has members from the following associations: Punjab Civil Medical Services, the Punjab State Veterinary Officers, Punjab Dental Medical Officers, Rural Medical Officers, and Punjab Ayurveda Officers.

The government doctors had already held strikes three times on the NPA issue and have warned to go on an indefinite strike from 19th July if their issues are not resolved.

Source: ET Healthworld