SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Jan 2: Senior Residents (SRs) at Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) are expressing frustration over the non-payment of their honorarium for the past three months.
More than 60 Senior Residents have been awaiting their salaries since September 2024. While they received payment for one month on Monday, the honorarium for the remaining three months is still pending.
In contrast, Senior Residents at other medical colleges in the state, including Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Hospital (MGMMCH) in Jamshedpur and Phulo Jhano Medical College Hospital (PJMCH) in Dumka, have been receiving their salaries on time. Only the SRs at SNMMCH have faced this delay.
Disparity in Payments at SNMMCH
One Senior Resident at SNMMCH voiced their dissatisfaction, saying, “It’s disheartening that tutors in non-clinical departments, who report to the principal, have received their salaries, while those of us in clinical departments remain unpaid.”
The hospital’s superintendent, Prof. (Dr.) S.K. Chourasia attributed the issue to insufficient fund allocation. He explained, “Due to the short supply of funds, we could disburse only one month’s salary and arrears. Once the full allocation is received, all pending payments will be cleared.”
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Insufficient Funds Received
Dr. Chourasia elaborated that the hospital had requested Rs. 2.15 crore from the state health department but received only Rs. 58 lakh. This amount was just enough to cover one month’s salary and arrears for 32 Senior Residents from the old batch.
He assured that steps are being taken to resolve the matter: “I have spoken to health department officials in Ranchi, and they have assured me that the remaining funds will be released soon. If everything goes as planned, SRs will receive their salaries within two days.”
IMA JDN Criticizes Payment Delay
The Indian Medical Association’s Junior Doctors Network (IMA JDN) has also raised concerns over the delay in payments.
State General Secretary of IMA JDN, Dr. Raghvendra Kumar, criticized the handling of the situation: “It is strange that the new government promised to clear all four months of dues for SNMMCH Senior Residents but released only one month’s salary. How can SRs effectively perform their duties under such circumstances?”
Dr. Kumar warned of potential action if the issue is not resolved promptly. He added, “IMA JDN requests the health department to ensure the clearance of pending salary payments for SNMMCH Senior Residents without further delay. Otherwise, the state body of Senior Residents in medical colleges will be forced to take drastic steps.”
