Punjab Govt Doctors Hopeful of ACP Scheme Reinstatement by mid-December, Finance Department Taking Action

Chandigarh: Punjab government doctors who have been demanding the restoration of the Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme for the past 3 years are now hopeful that the long-pending scheme will be reinstated by mid-December. This progress comes after the finance department requested information from the health department about doctors with pending dues related to the ACP scheme since July 2021.

The ACP scheme, which ensures professional and financial upgrades after 4, 9 and 14 years of service, has been on hold since July 1, 2021. The delay has affected ten batches of doctors who joined the service between 2009 and 2018.

However, the doctors are now hopeful of getting the financial upgradation that they have been advocating since 2021 after the state finance department has begun evaluating the possible financial impact on the exchequer in response to doctors' calls for the reinstatement of an assured career progression (ACP) scheme.

Also read- Punjab Govt doctors suspend OPD services, patients suffer at Mohali Civil Hospital

The finance department has asked the health department to provide details of doctors with pending dues under the ACP scheme after July 2021 and estimate the financial burden of reinstating the scheme for 2021–2024 and 2024–2026 periods.

Following these instructions, the director of health services has assigned civil surgeons the responsibility of gathering and submitting information regarding all doctors under their jurisdiction.

Punjab Civil Medical Services Association president Dr Akhil Sarin told TOI, "We had detailed discussions with officials on Friday. We hope the process of reinstating the ACP scheme will be completed promptly, allowing doctors to receive pending dues."

It is to be noted that the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) has conflicted with the government over the implementation of the scheme and various other demands since September of this year. 

Medical Dialogues had reported in September that the outpatient department (OPD) services at Mohali’s Civil Hospital were halted on Thursday, leaving many patients stranded and without care. The suspension was caused by a strike by government doctors in Punjab, who are calling for improved working conditions and enhanced security measures from the state government.

The strike was announced by government doctors after a meeting with the Punjab cabinet sub-committee, which failed to produce a written confirmation from the government regarding their demands. These demands include the restoration of the Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme, a framework for improved security, and other critical issues affecting their work environment.

Recently, a delegation from the PCMSA met with senior officials, who assured them that the ACP scheme would be reinstated by mid-December. They were also informed that the implementation of the scheme would remain unaffected by the code of conduct for the upcoming municipal corporation elections.

Also read- Punjab doctors end strike after State Government's assurance