Health Secretary Dr. R Rajesh Kumar stated that doctors are an essential part of the government’s family and assured that all legitimate demands of the Provincial Medical Service (PMS) union would be addressed. The state government has decided to grant a 50% incentive allowance to specialist doctors stationed in the hill regions.
A meeting was held at the Secretariat in Dehradun between Health Secretary Dr. R Rajesh Kumar and the officials of the PMS union. During this meeting, the union representatives presented their nine-point charter of demands, which were discussed in detail. The first meeting between the Health Secretary and the PMS representatives was positive, with the government agreeing in principle to eight out of the nine demands. Two demands were immediately approved at the secretariat level, and a decision on one more is expected soon. The PMS union expressed gratitude to the Health Secretary for the dialogue.
After the meeting, Dr. Rajesh Kumar mentioned that the discussions were fruitful and that the government is sympathetically considering all doctors’ demands. Eight of the demands have been accepted, and orders for the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) and the Special Duty Allowance for Civil Practitioners (SDACP) will be issued soon. Furthermore, there was consensus regarding the adjustment of vacant positions for dental surgeons.
The representatives of the PMS union reported that the meeting with the Health Secretary was constructive. They indicated that if the orders for the DPC and SDACP are issued, the union would reconsider the strike proposed for October 4.
The meeting was attended by Additional Health Secretary Anuradha Pal, Director General of Health Dr. Tara Arya, Joint Director Dr. Ajit Mohan Johri, PMS union President Manoj Verma, General Secretary Dr. Ramesh Kunwar, Vice President Dr. Meeta Srivastava, and other officials.
