SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 18: In a long-awaited decision, medical officers deputed for duty at the month-long Shrawani Mela in Deoghar and Basukinath (Dumka) will once again be eligible for travel allowance (TA) and daily allowance (DA). The mela, held from July 11 to August 9, 2025, saw over 100 doctors deployed in two phases.
Jharkhand State Health Services Association (JSHSA) president Dr. Bimlesh Kumar and secretary Dr. Thakur Mritunjay Kumar Singh informed that Director-in-Chief of Health, Dr. Sidharth Sanyal, has assured them a notification will soon be issued. Dr. Sanyal has already released a letter approving TA/DA payments for Multi-Purpose Workers (MPWs) on mela duty.
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Deployment of Medical Staff
According to officials, more than 100 doctors were sent for medical services during the mela—50 during the first fortnight and another 50 in the second half. Along with doctors, paramedical staff were also deputed to manage the massive turnout of devotees.
Dr. Singh noted that both doctors and paramedical workers are optimistic the government will fulfill its commitment to extend TA/DA benefits, describing it as a long-pending demand of frontline medical personnel.
Allowances Stopped After State Division
During the Bihar regime, doctors deputed to Deoghar and Basukinath for the Shrawani Mela regularly received TA/DA. However, after the formation of Jharkhand in 2000, the payments were discontinued.
Under pressure from then JSHSA secretary Dr. Sumant Mishra and other office bearers, the government made an advance payment around 2005–06. Yet, the practice was soon withdrawn, leaving doctors without allowances for nearly two decades.
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Poor Facilities, Renewed Assurances
Former Director-in-Chief of Health, Dr. Sumant Mishra, recalled that not only were allowances denied, but even basic boarding facilities at the mela were inadequate, forcing medical officers to accept what he termed “substandard arrangements” as part of their duty.
Now, JSHSA leaders Dr. Bimlesh Kumar and Dr. Thakur Mritunjay Kumar Singh have confirmed that both the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of Health and the Joint Secretary have assured them of restoring TA/DA payments. They described it as a long-overdue step toward recognizing the services of doctors and paramedical staff during the mela.
