Doctors threaten mass leave over common cadre, e-transfer policy in Rohtak

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, August 14

Doctors and other staffers at the University of Health Sciences (UHS) have threatened to go on mass leave/strike if the state government does not roll back its decision of creating a common cadre, online transfer policy and assigning additional duties to pre and para-clinical faculty at clinical departments.

The warning was issued at an emergency meeting of the joint action committee (JAC) of the Haryana State Medical Teachers’ Association (HSMTA), UHS Non-Teaching Employees’ Association and Nursing Association of the PGIMS held here on Saturday. They have already announced to wear black badges from Monday over the three issues.

“We had to call an emergency meeting on getting information that the state government had asked the UHS authorities to upload the details of all its doctors and other employees on the portal by August 16. The move aims at creating a common cadre for implementing an online transfer policy that is not only against the interest of doctors and other employees but also unfavourable for patients. Moreover, it will adversely affect the academic activities as well,” said Dr RB Jain, president, HSMTA.

He said they would wait for the government’s stand towards their demands for the next few days. “If it remains adamant on its decision and does not pay heed then we will not have any other option except to go on mass leave or strike. Besides, we are also taking a legal opinion as the university is an autonomous body and the government cannot transfer its employees to other places,” Dr Jain added.

Meanwhile, Dr Ranbir Dahiya, state core committee member of the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, also expressed solidarity with the JAC in terms of additional duties assigned to pre and para-clinical faculty. “They are engaged in teaching students, other academic and administrative work besides performing laboratory duties hence there is no use of such teachers in clinical duties hence we demand withdrawal of the orders with an immediate effect,” Dr Dahiya added.

Loudspeakers banned on UHS campus

The UHS authorities have warned of action against persons found using loudspeakers without permission on the campus. Sources said the warning came in the backdrop of the proposed agitation by doctors from Monday. The doctors had on Thursday, held a meeting against the three issues using loudspeakers sans permission, which irked the UHS authorities.