Crisis lurks in CSM University as 30 docs seek VRS

Lucknow, Sep 18 (UNI) With over 30 senior specialists from the Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University (CSMMU) here applying for VRS, Uttar Pradesh is likely to face a medical facility crisis.

The specialists decided to seek voluntary retirement after the Allahabad High Court took a stern view regarding private practice by the doctors of the speciality institute.

The move by the doctors could lead to an acute crisis in the Chhatrapati Sahuji Maharaj medical university of the state with 30 renowned doctors. Thirty doctors have already forwarded their VRS papers. The doctors have taken the decision over poor pay scales and ban on private practise.

The step has kicked off a fresh debate over private practise by government doctors as those who have requested for resignation are men of repute and pioneers in their field.

''They wish to resign for they feel pay and reimbursment to them are peanuts as compared to their skills and labour and that private practise is in no way a hindarence in discharging their duties to the medical university'' said Dr Yogesh Govil, professor, department of Pediatrics.

''After 35 years of service as a professor I take home a mere Rs 30,000 per month and this is not enough to run my family'', he said adding that as compared to AIIMS and PGI he gets a mere 25 per cent of what they get and besides this private practise is allowed in many states.

Now the doctors have several reasons for doing private practise after their duty hours.

Dr Ashok Chandra, Professor, dept of Neurology, CSMMU said "If after duty I am not questioned why I play golf or why I run a beetal shop then why they are bothered on the question of private practise".

The fact remains that series of VRS applications has endangered the very recognition of the medical university with cmass resignation the CSMMU stands chances of losing the MCI recognition.

Dr Chandra said resignations would surely hamper teaching and clinical functioning of the university as many departments and super speciality courses would fall short of teachers.

But on the other hand, the state government is sticking to its stand and is not ready to surrender before the doctors.

Principal secretary to Chief Minister Shailesh Krishna said here that their is no provision of VRS and private practise in the University Act. ''We are awaiting the recomendations of the Nityanand committee on the issue,'' he said. The committee was set up by the UP government to look into the issue of private practice.

He said the government was ready to meet any situation and would ensure that the University does not lose its reputation and studies are not hampered.

UNI