Kerala Medical College Doctors postpone march as talks with Govt continue

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA) has postponed its protest meeting from Monday to Wednesday, as talks with the government are continuing.

The doctors have been protesting for a long time over pending salary arrears and issues related to service conditions.

According to a report by The New Indian Express, the association stated that discussions are underway regarding the release of pending salaries for doctors and steps to strengthen hospital standards. A scheduled meeting with Dr. Rajan N Khobragade, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, did not take place on Monday, and the next round of talks is expected on Wednesday.

KGMCTA leaders pointed out that the file approving salary arrears has already been cleared by senior officials in the Finance, Health, and Law departments and has reportedly reached the finance minister twice without a final decision.

In a joint statement, state president Dr Rosnara Beegum T and general secretary Dr Aravind C S told The New Indian Express that although the chief minister had assured doctors that he would speak to the finance minister, no update has been communicated so far. The association has urged the chief minister to intervene and facilitate a favourable resolution.

The doctors have cautioned that if the government fails to act, they will intensify the agitation by relinquishing all additional responsibilities, including roles as nodal officers and coordinators of various projects.

Medical Dialogues recently reported that the Government doctors in Kerala announced plans to take out a march to the Director of Medical Education (DME) office on Monday, alleging that authorities are trying to suppress their ongoing indefinite agitation.

The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers' Association (KGMCTA), in a statement, said it decided to intensify its strike, alleging continued apathy on the part of the state government in resolving issues related to service conditions and pay anomalies of medical college faculty. KGMCTA state President Dr Rosnara Begum said in the statement issued on Friday that a march would be organised to the office of the Director of Medical Education (DME) on Monday, protesting against alleged attempts to suppress the agitation instead of initiating steps for a settlement.