SUBHASH MISHRA
Ranchi, March 4: A delegation from the Jharkhand State Health Services Association (JSHSA) will meet Chief Minister Hemant Soren to address the violation of a government order and other pressing issues.
JSHSA State Secretary Dr. Thakur Mritunjay Kumar Singh highlighted that a notification from the joint secretary of the government had clarified that biometric attendance would not be tied to salary payments for doctors.
However, in Palamu district, the salary payments of medical officers, including the Civil Surgeon (CS), have been withheld due to the lack of biometric attendance. Dr. Singh emphasized that this was a violation of the government order, and the JSHSA delegation intends to brief the Chief Minister on the issue.
Govt’s official stance on biometric attendance
The government had issued a notification on June 25, 2015, making biometric attendance mandatory for doctors and healthcare staff, including contractual employees. However, on September 23, 2024, Joint Secretary Vidyanand Sharma (Pankaj) clarified that the 2015 notification did not mandate salary payments to be linked with biometric attendance.
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Dr. Thakur Mritunjay Kumar Singh pointed out that the withholding of salaries in Palamu district, based on biometric attendance, directly contradicted the government’s official stance and should be rectified.
JSHSA’s appeal for equal treatment
In addition to addressing the salary issue, the JSHSA delegation plans to request the Chief Minister for enhanced facilities for medical officers, similar to those provided to other government employees, including a one-month additional salary at par with police personnel in the state.
Dr. Singh argued that medical officers, like police personnel, often perform emergency duties and should therefore be exempt from the biometric attendance requirement. He stressed the importance of equitable treatment for doctors, who play a crucial role in emergency and healthcare services.
Advocacy for 15-point demand
Dr. Thakur Mritunjay Kumar Singh also referred to a previous meeting with Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Health, Ajay Kumar Singh, on September 1, 2024, where it was agreed that JSHSA’s 15-point demand, including the exemption from biometric attendance for salary payments, would be implemented.
The JSHSA delegation plans to revisit this issue with the Chief Minister to ensure that the agreed-upon actions are carried out and to resolve the current challenges faced by doctors.
