2,900 doctors in Orissa to step down on Aug 27

{image-naveen patnaik_24082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Bhubaneshwar, Aug 24: The unmet demands regarding the pay scales of doctors in Orissa by Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, have urged 2,900 doctors to threaten to give mass resignation on Wednesday, Aug 27. Even with the minister making a six-point announcement in the assembly in response to their demands six months ago, nothing has been realised yet, claim the doctors.

"Nearly 2900 doctors working in government hospitals will resign from their posts to protest against the non-implementation of announcements made by the chief minister," Orissa Medical Service Association (OMSA) President Madhusudan Mishra said.

Patnaik had announced that the doctors would get a salary of Rs 8,000 and status of junior Class-I at the entry level, special allowance of Rs 3,000 per month, post mortem allowance of Rs 500 per case, restructuring of cadre, a trasparent transfer policy and a legislation to ensure their protection.

"Though the government had been taking fresh doctors at a scale of pay of Rs 8000 and giving specialist allowance of Rs 3,000 per month, four other measures were yet to be implemented," Mishra said, adding that they had no option but to go for mass resignation.

Of the total 4258 sanctioned post of doctors, nearly 1200 posts remained vacant in different hospitals as fresh MBBS graduates were not happy with the existing pay scale and other benefits for doctors, Mishra added.

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