Delhi Govt doctors demand inclusion in Old Pension Scheme

New Delhi: Around 100 senior doctors working in major Delhi government hospitals such as Ambedkar Hospital, Lok Nayak Hospital, and Guru Gobind Singh Hospital submitted a memorandum to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Friday, urging him to include them under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, commonly known as the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). 

The doctors, who have served in government hospitals for a long time, are currently under the New Pension Scheme (NPS), introduced in 2004. They say that this is unfair, as many of them were appointed before the NPS came into effect.

According to the doctors, they were initially hired on a contractual basis between 2000 and 2003 but were later regularised into the Delhi Health Services (DHS) under Rule 6(2) of the Delhi Health Services (Allopathy) Rules, 2009. They also said that many were recruited against sanctioned posts advertised before the NPS notification on December 22, 2003. 

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As per a latest media report by The Patriot, the doctors highlighted that their case falls under the guidelines issued by the central government in March 2023, which provides a one-time option to choose the Old Pension Scheme for those appointed to posts advertised before the cut-off date, even if they joined service on or after January 1, 2004. The Delhi government's approval of this policy in April 2023 further supports their demand.

The doctors stated that the government’s decision could affect at least 300 doctors. Although they were unable to meet the Lieutenant Governor in person, they have submitted their representation and are now awaiting a response. If their demands gets ignored by the LG, then they confirmed that they will be forced to protest.  

A senior doctor who is going to retire next year, requesting anonymity, told HT, "The benefits under the old and new pension schemes differ significantly. Under the new pension scheme, I will get a very small amount of pension as compared to the old pension scheme. In the new scheme, the amount I get will not be able to even properly pay our medical bills."

She added, “The government is not allowing us to be part of the old pension scheme as it claims that those hired on a contractual basis cannot avail benefits under the old pension scheme.”

She called the government's decision hypocritical and said, “Over the years, the vacancies are being filled for contractual positions and not otherwise, which is not our fault, so why are we being denied our rights under the old pension scheme?”

The doctors argued that their service before being formally included in the DHS cadre should not be overlooked. Although the 2009 rules mention that contractual service doesn’t count for promotions, it does not take away from the continuity or nature of their work. They believe that denying them OPS benefits goes against both the intent and the wording of the central government’s directive.

The medical practitioners also highlighted that their previous representation was rejected by the Health Department at the Principal Secretary level, without obtaining approval from the competent authority—the L-G. They pointed out that similar cases in other departments and states have already been accepted under the same provisions.

The doctors also pointed out that despite serving during major health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, they are now being denied a secure retirement. They have demanded that their NPS contributions be transferred to their General Provident Fund (GPF) accounts once they are granted OPS benefits.

A senior medical officer, who is one of the signatories of the appeal, said, “Our appointments were made against duly advertised posts before the NPS was even notified. Several of us have served in difficult conditions, including during health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Denying us fair retirement benefits not only demoralises the medical community but also reflects an unjust interpretation of the rules."

Another doctor from a major government hospital in Delhi said, “We are hired by the government through proper channels and after decades of service we are being denied our rights. Doctors are the backbone of any healthcare system, particularly those working in government hospitals in Delhi that serve the poor and middle-class population. Despite this, we are deprived of our right to have a respectful old age without appropriate approval.”

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