Newly recruited docs to get full salary, says Manpreet

Sunday, 21/01/2018

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HOSHIARPUR : The state finance department has approved the proposal of the health department to pay full salary to newly recruited medical officers instead of just basic pay to overcome the shortage of doctors in government health institutions. This was disclosed by state finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal at the annual conference of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) here.

As per the norms incorporated by the previous government, the newly recruited employees, including MBBS doctors, were given only the basic salary for three years of probation period.

The new recruits were also deprived of other allowances and increments. Not finding the job lucrative, medical officers have since been hesitating to join the government service leading to acute shortage of the staff.

Keeping in mind the worsening state health services, the health department had written to the finance department to change the norm and pay full salary to new recruits.

The finance minister said the decision had been taken ‘in the interest of the poor people’, who depended on affordable health services provided in government hospitals. "The proposal will be approved in the coming budget session", he added.

He, however, clarified that the basic salary norm would continue for employees of the other departments. "So far, we are waiving the bar for medical officers," he said. He said the government will also soon come up with some 'comprehensive' health schemes for the people of Punjab.

Assuring the medical fraternity redressal of all their problems, Manpreet said the Punjab government would oppose the proposed National Medical Council (NMC) Bill ‘tooth and nail’. “Our MPs will write to the parliamentary standing committee which is studying the matter”, he added.

Giving in to the demand of the IMA, the Punjab government was also considering to regularise hospital and clinic buildings, which have been constructed without approval of the authorities concerned, he claimed. Referring to another demand of the IMA, he said the government will act to curb violence against doctors.

Expressing dissatisfaction at the implementation of some of the current health schemes, Manpreet said the Congress government was contemplating 'comprehensive' schemes to improve health services.IMA national president Ravi Wankhedkar and state president Rejender Sharma thanked the finance minister for his concern for the medical fraternity.