Students, medical faculty of Government Medical College, Patiala, eyeball to eyeball over hike in retirement age

Tribune News Service

Patiala, September 4

Students and teachers of the Government Medical College here are stated to have come face to face over the issue of increasing the retirement age of medical professors in medical colleges of the state.

In fact, senior doctors have continually been demanding an increase in the retirement age from 62 to 65 years while their students, senior residents (SR), are opposing the same.

The Union of Resident Doctors, Punjab, has already rejected the demand for any increase in the retirement age of the medical faculty. Resident doctors said their teachers should at least care about the future of their students.

The union said the demand for the increase in retirement age would block employment avenues for three years.

Resident doctors said the increase in retirement age was antithesis of the state policy of ‘ghar ghar rozegar’.

One of the resident doctors said, “At least two or three new recruits can be hired against the salary of one senior professor. Besides, new recruits will be more updated and efficient. They have taught us, but they should also think about our future.”

The Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers Association (PSMDTA) demanded that the retirement age should be 65 years in accordance with the National Medical Commission Rules.

Meanwhile, continuous efforts are being made by vested interests to increase the retirement age of the medical faculty from 62 to 65 years.