On Doctors’ Day, Punjab medicos hit streets against non-practising allowance cut

Bathinda/Moga, July 1

On the call of the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMS), government doctors suspended work in all hospitals and other service centres in Bathinda district, including emergency, OPD and other health services, in protest against the Punjab Government due to which patients remained at the receiving end.

The protest of government doctors against the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission and the reduction of non-practising allowance (NPA) in it continued for the 11th day on Thursday. The doctors also took out a protest march in the city. They raised slogans against Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal by gathering at the local Fire Brigade Chowk.

Pay panel reduced NPA from 25% to 20%

District head of PCMS Dr Gurmail Singh said the non-practising allowance (NPA) was reduced from 25 to 20 per cent in the pay commission recommendations. Along with this, it was recommended to de-link the NPA from basic pay.

District head of PCMS Dr Gurmail Singh said the NPA was reduced from 25 to 20 per cent in the pay commission. Along with this, it was recommended to de-link the NPA from basic pay. This would reduce the salary of doctors. Apart from this, pension and other allowances would also be cut, he claimed.

Health services were hit in all government hospitals, community health care centres and dispensaries in Moga district as well. All allopathic and Ayurvedic doctors went on a strike throughout the day over the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations. — TNS