National Medical Commission will take away our jobs: MCI employees decry to PMO for help

New Delhi: While the replacement of the Medical Council of India with the National Medical Commission is drawing a mixed response from the Medical fraternity with some welcoming it with open hands and others rejecting some of its recommendations, the commission is categorically facing rejection from 95 employees of the MCI who stand to lose their jobs with the coming of NMC

The Week reports that the employees of the Medical Council of India have now written to the Prime Minister's Office seeking protection of their jobs in the event of dissolution of the MCI and its replacement with the National Medical Commission.

As per the provisions of Bill, employees of the Medical Council Of India shall be immediately terminated with a 3 months severance package, as soon as the National Medical Commission comes into effect. Section 58 deals with the issue of Employees and their termination

On the dissolution of the Medical Council of India, the person appointed as the Chairman of the Medical Council of India and every other person appointed as the Member and any officer and other employee of that Council and holding office as such immediately before such dissolution shall vacate their respective offices and such Chairman and other Members shall be entitled to claim compensation not exceeding three months' pay and allowances for the premature termination of term of their office or of any contract of service

Provided that any officer or other employee who has been, immediately before the dissolution of the Medical Council of India appointed on deputation basis to the Medical Council of India, shall, on such dissolution, stand reverted to his parent cadre, Ministry or Department, as the case may be:

Provided further that any officer or other employee who has been, immediately before the dissolution of the Medical Council of India, employed on regular or contractual basis by the Medical Council of India, shall, on and from such dissolution, cease to be the officer or employee of the Medical Council of India and his employment in the Medical Council of India stand terminated with immediate effect:

Provided also that such officer or employee of the Medical Council of India shall be entitled to such compensation for the premature termination of his employment, which shall not less than three months' pay and allowances, as may be prescribed.

Calling these as disastrous consequences on their livelihood, the MCI employees have sought the help of the PMO office, stating that all of them should not be made victim due to the activities of a few black sheep. MCI, many times in the past have been accused of corruption and its failure to promoting and regulating the system of medical education in the country.

"The salary that we earn is the only source of livelihood for our families. We emphasise that all employees are working with utmost sincerity and full dedication...merely because of (a) few black sheep, the entire staff cannot and should not be penalised by depriving them of their employment," the Week quotes the letter as stating.

The employees have further requested that instead of their termination, the government should either utilise their services in the new commission, or in any other establishment of the government.

The National Medical Commission bill is currently with a Standing Committee of the parliament for review