Doctors demand tax exemptions, incentives

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 12

To boost their morale in the fight against Covid-19, doctors in Punjab today demanded tax exemptions and incentives from the state and the central governments.

They had already appealed to Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister, Punjab, and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to exempt them from income tax for the fiscal year 2020-21.

Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers’ Association (PSMDTA) has demanded total exemption from payment of income tax for the current financial year throughout the country.

Dr Mridu Gupta, president, PSMDTA, said the amount of income tax government doctors pay annually is equal to their salaries of three months.

The doctors’ association said the Haryana Government had already decided to double the salary of all healthcare officials and workers who are tackling the Covid-19 outbreak.

The Association had appealed to CM Capt Amarinder Singh to pursue the matter personally with the Central Government.

Dr DS Bhullar, general secretary, PSMDTA, said the government should announce incentives for the doctors, who are at the forefront of the fight against coronavirus.

He said, “The best option is to give full insurance coverage to the government doctors and other para-medical staff. Keeping in view the reported incidents of assault on doctors, the state government should also ensure full protection to the doctors on duty.”

To donate one-day’ssalary to Covid fund

Meanwhile, doctors working in medical and dental colleges, under the state government, have decided to contribute at least their one day’s salary to Punjab Chief Minister Covid-19 Relief Fund to supplement the state government efforts to combat Covid-19 pandemic.