PROTEST RALLY by Doctors at Civil Hospital Ludhiana

Ludhiana, March 19, 2013: In response to the call given by state PCMS Association the PCMS doctors of various institutions of Ludhiana district also observed  ‘Protest week’ by holding protest meetings and wearing  black badges. 

A protest rally was organised at Civil Hospital Ludhiana  against the callous attitude of the Punjab Government for their demands. Doctors are demanding to roll back new PG admission policy, to get specialist increments for all specialists, Conveyance allowance to all, Dynamic ACP after 20 years, Separate scales for specialists and administrative posts of SMO and Civil Sugeons.

Addressing the rally, Dr Hardeep Singh, State President of Association condemned the callous attitude of the Punjab Government and released 21 point demand charter of PCMS doctors. He demanded PG increments to all specialists’, conveyance allowance to every doctor, Pay parity with central Government doctors, creation of more posts of EMO’s  at every CHC, SDH /District Hospitals and  to roll back new eligibility policy of PG admission.  He told that protest week is first phase of their agitation and PCMS doctors all over the state are observing  protest by wearing black badges and holding protest meeting at the district/ Sub-divisional headquarters. He declared that the agitation will continue till acceptance of their demands and Association will step up its agitation if Punjab Government failed to accept their demands.

Dr Sachin Goel, General Secretary of  District PCMS Association demanded more manpower of doctors for smooth running of health services. More posts of EMO’s, more posts of specialists etc. He told that State health services has been facing the acute shortage of doctors as 26% posts of general duty and 38% posts are lying vacant due to wrong policies of Punjab Government. Negative reversal of rural area incentive and discriminatory PG increments for specialists has further discouraged the doctors. After these negative changes in policies the 252 doctors who got appointment letters has not reported their joining. Doctors should provide justice to the doctors to encourage the doctors for PCMS service.

Dr Avinash Jindal and Dr Arun Gupta, district vice presidents  demanded pay parity of PCMS doctors at par with central doctors as  ‘Dynamic ACP’ (Assured carrier Progression) of 20 years, separate pay scales for the specialists with 2 and 6 year ACP, ‘Senior Administrative grade’ for SMO’s, Higher Administrative Grade for Civil Surgeons.

Dr Balwinder Kumar. Regional Organizing Secretary of Association demanded to remove Deputy Commissioners as head of health programs; SMO should be designated as Deputy Civil Surgeon, post of Director UT Chandigarh from PCMS Cadre and also demanded that ‘Deputy Commissioner’s should make their own arrangements with services of their own rural development doctors for non-clinical duties like VIP/Mela/Election/ public functions/ sports meet etc.

Dr Sandeep Singh Organising Secretary, Dr Harpreet Singh, District Joint Secretary,  and Dr Jagjit Singh Press secretary also addressed the rally.  After the rally the PCMS doctors hold a meeting with Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana and discussed all demands in detail and submitted their  memorandum.