Punjab: Doctors to go ahead with indefinite strike

With the talks between the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) and the state government hitting another deadlock over the non-issuance of notification on the reinstatement of the assured career progression (ACP) scheme, the association has decided to go ahead with its call for indefinite suspension of services from September 9.

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At a meeting held with the Special Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, representatives of the association reportedly held detailed discussions on various issues, including reinstating the ACP and provisions of security for health care workers.

The government has urged the PCMSA to moderate its call and sought some more time to take up the matter with the Finance Department. This was the fourth such meeting in the last two weeks.

The PCMSA said the demand for the reinstatement of ACP was non-negotiable and would serve as the pivot around which its struggle would revolve, as it aimed at restoring the routine, regular salary of the medical officers and did not involve any new allowance. It had been part of the regular pay since the inception of the cadre, it said.