Now, assured promotion for all docs

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 9

After a long wait the Uttarakhand government has decided to cover all government doctors under the ambit of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme.

Though the government has already approved implementation of DACP, it is being implemented only for doctors who joined the services in 2015. The remaining 300 doctors, who had joined the services before 2015, were being denied the benefits. This had become a bone of contention between the Provincial Medical and Health Services (PMHS), a body of government doctors, and the Uttarakhand government.

Now, the state government and more specifically Chief Minister Harish Rawat seems to be in favour of implementation of the scheme for all doctors.

Earlier, it was said the Department of Finance was raising objections on the ground that it would burden the exchequer. But it seems to have veered around in its favour because even for the doctors who joined the services in 2015, the DACP scheme would only be implemented after four years of their joining. Hence, as of now, the implementation of the DACP was not visible on the ground.

With the Assembly elections round the corner, the Congress-led state government is also not in favour of antagonising doctors and wants to be seen as doing something on the ground for all sections.

Further, the demand of the DACP has been pending for several years and doctors, who had been deprived of the benefits, were unhappy with the government. They had even threatened to renew their agitation. “We will welcome the move as it will help senior doctors who have been denied promotions in the past,” said Dr Naresh Napalchayal, secretary, PMHS.