Govt Doctors In Odisha Not To Work On Public Holidays From Oct 28

Bhubaneswar: Like other government employees, doctors in Odisha will not work on public holidays from October 28.

A decision to this effect has been taken by the Odisha Medical Services Association (OMSA).

In a letter to the Health Secretary, OMSA secretary Punyashloka Das has informed that since the Association in its central executive committee (CEC) meeting on September 2 and general council meeting (GEC) meeting on September 30 has decided that all government doctors would not work on public holidays, the state government should make alternative arrangements for the treatment of the patients on these days.

Das also said that the Sixth Pay Commission had recommended implementation of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme for the government doctors in all the states. While 15 states have already implemented the scheme, it is yet to be implemented in Odisha.

“For implementation of DACP scheme in Odisha, the Chief Minister had formed a ministerial committee comprising ministers of Health and Family Welfare and Finance and Law in 2010. However, the committee has not convened a single meeting since last eight years while the state government has framed new cadre rules for the government doctors without the knowledge of OMSA,” Das said in his letter.

He further said the OMSA doctors have strongly opposed the new cadre rules in which the state government has classified the government doctors in three segments. “Apart from this, the state government has neither fixed the duty hours of the doctors and nor taken steps to provide them protection,” he pointed out.