PSMDTA to intensify stir

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 10

The Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers Association (PSMDTA) today announced to intensity their protest against the state government over the non-practising allowance (NPA) cut in the Sixth Pay Commission report.

The association said the OPD services at the Government Rajindra Hospital and teaching at the Government Medical College would remain suspended for the entire day on Monday as a mark of protest.

Dr DS Bhullar, general secretary, PSMDTA, said, “We will be holding a general body meeting of the association tomorrow. If the need arises, we may also block the National Highway on Monday.”

Besides, the association also gave an ultimatum to the government to fulfil their demands by July 20 or they would go on indefinite strike.

Dr Vijay Kumar, acting president, PSMDTA, said, “We feel cheated and backstabbed because the government instead of encouraging doctors to work day and night to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic is compelling them to hit roads for protest. The cut in the NPA from 25 to 20 per cent is a punishment and discouragement.” The association said the NPA was a misnomer and demanded to change the term to compensatory pay.

“The reason of giving the NPA is to retain doctors in government sector. Therefore, NPA has to be enhanced, but government is doing otherwise,” the association added.—TNS