Doctors’ strike enters Second day as Denotification of NPA backfires for HP Government
Shimla, May 30
The denotification of Non-Practice Allowance (NPA) by the Himachal Pradesh government has resulted in a backlash as doctors have gone on an indefinite pen-down strike, now entering its second day. This strike is causing disruptions to health services in the state.
Also read: Sukhu Government denotifies Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) for Medicos in Himachal Pradesh
On the first day, doctors refrained from attending to patients between 9:30 am and 11 am, and a similar routine is being observed on the second day, with no resolution reached between the government and the doctors.
The strike has had a significant impact on medical services, as patients in numerous medical colleges and hospitals across the state are facing difficulties. The Himachal Medical Officers Association (HMOA) has called for the pen-down strike in response to the denotification of NPA for newly recruited allopathic, dental, ayurvedic, ayush, and veterinary doctors.
The HMOA has threatened to continue the strike until the NPA is restored. While many doctors have resumed their duties after 11 am, they continue to wear black badges in protest. Emergency services and operation theaters are functioning as usual. Doctors argue that withholding the NPA has resulted in a reduction in their financial benefits.
The decision by the Sukhu government, facing an economic crisis, to suspend NPA for doctors may escalate tensions in the Department of Health, Medical Education, Dental, and Animal Husbandry. Health Minister Dhaniram Shandil has held a meeting with the doctors to discuss the issue, but no solution has been reached, and the deadlock continues.
Dr. Vijay Ral, the Press Secretary of the HMOA, stated that the discontinuation of NPA is unjustified and demoralizing for doctors. He warned that if the NPA is not restored, the movement will be intensified.
The association has also demanded the removal of HAS officers from all medical colleges and the appointment of senior doctors in their place. NPA constitutes 20% of the basic salary and serves to incentivize doctors to provide medical services.
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