Bihar government doctors to apply for VRS en masse

Patna, Jul 16 (UNI) The government health services in Bihar are likely to come to a grinding halt from August following the decision of about 2500 medical officers in the state to opt for Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS).

''We are compelled to go for such a scheme as we are disillusioned about the future of our long pending demands,'' state Health Service Association (BHSA) convenor Ajay Kumar said while referring to the repeated 'false promises' by the authroties about the fulfilment of their long standing demands.

Mr Kumar also criticised the lackdaisical attitude of the state health ministry in considering their 'just' demands, which included raising the retirement age of government doctors, as recommended by the Medical Council of India (MCI) and the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

He also demanded simultaneous increase in salaries and other benefits at par with the Central pay scales.

Mr Kumar also regretted that despite committing to meet their demands time and again, no action had been initiated by the state government so far.

Stating that the unique decision to opt for the VRS en masse was taken at the Association's recent Executive Committee meeting at Begusarai on Saturday last, Dr Kumar said, however, before applying for the VRS, the members would resort to an 'work to rule' agitation for a month to create pressure on the authorities to meet their demands.

About the possible inconveniences to general public, particularly the poor patients in case they really go for the VRS scheme, Dr Kumar said, ''The decision was taken after considering all such factors and hoped that good sense would soon prevail within the ministry by taking positive action.'' ''We, however, regret any inconvenience that general public may face following our decision,'' he said clarifying that all emergency services would remain open round the clock and function normally during the proposed agitation.

UNI