M A I N   N E W S

Punjab allows doctors to keep entire fee
of private practice
Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 29
The Punjab Government today relented and decided not to seek any share from the private practice of government doctors who continued their state-wide protests against withdrawal of Non Practising Allowance (NPA) by holding dharnas and rallies.

A notification containing guidelines in allowing government doctors to do private practice from August 1 after withdrawal of NPA may be issued tomorrow.

Though the Department of Health and Family Welfare was directed to go ahead with the notification allowing government doctors private practice, the chances of the decision being reviewed in the next two days cannot be ruled out.

The government may also try to influence doctors by “offering a package, including permanent posting to facilitate continuation of their private practice without the fear of a transfer”. There is a thinking that no government doctor will take to private practice and invest in creating infrastructure, including a clinic at his residence, or join an existing clinic or a private hospital, in case the sword of transfer continues to hang over his or her head. This may be another temptation to convince doctors to give up their demand for NPA.

Apprehending an exodus from the Punjab Civil Medical Service (PCMS), the government has also sought a detailed report from the Finance Department about the exact amount that goes in the payment of NPA annually.

Sources reveal that the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, held consultations with certain senior administrative secretaries about the likely fallouts of the withdrawal of NPA. The agitation by doctors and their intentions to quit government service must be worrying the Chief Minister.

The sources reveal that more and more doctors were thinking of quitting so that they could at least protect their pensionary benefits. “We have had many serious enquiries today,” revealed a senior functionary of the department, maintaining that “medical officers were confused by contradictory statements made by the government over allowing NPA on selective basis.”

“Once the doctors are convinced that the government may not withdraw its decision, we expect a large number of senior and experienced doctors to quit,” remarked an office-bearer of the PCMS Association.