Date:18/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/18/stories/2008031855880100.htm

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Chief Minister announces sops for doctors

Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR: Government doctors are all set to reverse their decision on mass resignation following Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s announcement on Monday evening to accord Junior Class-1 officer status to doctors at entry level.

Making a statement in the Assembly a day before the deadline set by doctors to carry out their mass resignation, the Chief Minister said that the scale of pay for doctors joining the Orissa Medical Services (OMS) cadre would be enhanced to Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 13,500 from the present level of Rs. 6,500 to Rs. 10,500.

Doctors, who were designated as Class II at entry level, will now be treated as Junior Class-1 officer, Mr. Patnaik said.

Moreover, the OMS cadre would restructured within two months in order to create a number of promotional posts at different levels, the Chief Minister assured the House appealing to doctors to call off their strike.

Mr. Patnaik said a new legislation would be worked out prohibiting violence against medical service personnel, including doctors, and damage to public properties at hospitals.

A rational transfer policy would be also put in place with inputs from the Orissa Medical Services Association (OMSA) and other stakeholders within two months, he said.

Besides, a Rs. 3,000 special allowance will be given to doctors holding specialist position and Rs. 500 allowance per every post-mortem, Chief Minister said.

Reacting to the slew of announcements, State treasurer of OMSA Dr. Bijaya Kumar Swain said, “We will certainly call off our strike as our main demands will be met through these announcements. However, a final decision will be taken in our general body meeting to be called very shortly.”

Earlier in the day, doctors and professors at SCB Medical College were barred from going on leave as a preventive measure.