Doctors to retire at 65: PM

TNS & agencies

Saharanpur, May 26

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said his government would soon take a decision to extend the retirement age of government doctors to 65 years. 

In his attempt to reach out to the Uttar Pradesh electorate ahead of the Assembly elections, he said he was a “UP-wala” who cared for the farmers.

Edit: Modi keeps hope alive

Addressing a rally at Saharanpur to mark two years of his government, he said, “As we are facing a huge shortage of doctors in the country, our government is working on a plan to extend the retirement age of the doctors to 65 years.”

He urged private doctors to devote the ninth day of every month to examine expectant mothers coming from marginalised background. “Please spare 12 days a year for free check-up of such women to help  check maternal mortality,” he said.

Declaring the entire population of the country to be his family, he said he was working for each Indian, irrespective of caste or  community. He presented a report card of his government saying people had a right to know how he spent each “pal” (moment) and each “paisa”.

He said he welcomed scrutiny by the people, but also wanted them to be partners in development. 

In his 35-minute address, he refrained from attacking any political party, though he said, “The country is changing, but the mindset of a few people hasn't changed yet.”

Addressing sugarcane farmers of the Saharanpur belt, he said his government was working towards clearing their dues, but there still remained arrears of Rs 700-800 crore due to the highhandedness of mill owners and the state government.

He said his government was working towards doubling the farmers’ income by 2022. Issuance of soil health cards was a step in that direction. 

On his government’s effort that resulted in one crore households giving up their LPG subsidy, Modi said till now a gas connection was for the rich, but now it had reached the kitchen of the poor and the marginalised.