SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Aug 12: Jharkhand government doctors will boycott biometric attendance from August 20 in protest of the new dictate.
The decision was taken at an emergent joint meeting of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Jharkhand Health Services Association (JHSA), the frontal organization of state government doctors held at Ranchi.
Objectionable cross-verification system
IMA state secretary Dr Pradeep Kumar Singh and JHSA secretary Dr Thakur Mritunjay Kumar Singh, after the joint meeting, said that their organizations are not against biometric attendance, but its cross-verification system is objectionable and can’t be accepted.
The state government has opened an online portal in three districts Palamu, Garhwa and Sahebganj and attached it with salary payment.
“It is nothing but a tool to harass doctors even after their duty by explaining show cause, disciplinary action and holding salary payment”, said Dr Pradeep Kumar Singh and Dr Thakur Mritunjay Kumar Singh.
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JHSA president Dr PP Sah, IMA state coordinator Dr Ajay Kumar Singh, IMA women’s wing president Dr Bharti Kashyap, JHSA former secretary Dr Bimlesh Kumar Singh, vice–president Dr RS Das, treasurer Dr BP Kashyap, president secretary of all districts were also present at the meeting.
Boycott till govt covers all departments
The JHSA secretary announced that medical officers will boycott biometric attendance from August 20 and make attendance only on register till the government implements a new system (cross verification) in all departments.
“JHSA is committed to support the government for improvement of health services but the health department should have discussed it with medical bodies before enforcing it. It has generated resentment in doctors and compelled them to go on an agitation path”, said Dr Thakur.
The IMA secretary said that the Patna High Court, in its order, has already cleared that since the nature of doctors’ duty is special and they attend night service, their payment can’t be attached to biometric attendance.
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The principal secretary of health sits on 15 points demand
The İMA and JHSA, on May 28, 2024, at a meeting, handed over 15 points long pending demands to Principal Secretary of Health Ajay Kumar Singh. The principal secretary gave a positive signal on demands.
A JHSA official said the health department did not implement any demand but rather imposed another dictate. Besides Dynamic ACP at par with Bihar and central government doctors, Jharkhand IMA and JHSA have again reiterated their joint demand of exempting below 50 beds hospital from the Clinical Establishment Act. “Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other states have already done this for improvement in health services”, said IMA, JHSA secretary.
