Punjab Medical Education Department proposes increase in retirement age

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 25

While the retirement of the Director Research and Medical Education (DRME) is due in August, the Punjab Medical Education Department has reportedly sent a proposal to the government for enhancing the retirement age of the medical professors from 62 to 65 years.

Sources said a host of senior doctors in government medical and dental colleges in the state — holding administrative posts — are retiring by the end of the next month. Therefore, if the Cabinet gives its nod to the proposal, many senior doctors, including the incumbent DRME, will be benefited.

Meanwhile, Dr Sujata Sharma, the DRME, said: “I am not aware of the issue at all.”

Alok Shekhar, Principal Secretary, Medical Education, said: “No decision has been taken so far. Therefore, I won’t be able to comment.”

Medical Education Minister OP Soni, in a recent interaction with doctors, assured the medicos of presenting the proposal in this regard before the Cabinet.

Resident doctors despise move

However, resident doctors are resenting the enhancement in the retirement age. They said the development would be demoralising for the functionaries who were the next in line because it would block their avenues for at least three years. Moreover, it would also badly impact the new entrants.

Junior doctors argued that when there was a re-employment policy already in place wherein doctors could work until 70 years then what was the need for the said proposal.

Meanwhile, Medical Education Minister OP Soni could not be contacted despite attempts.