Tamil Nadu Govt doctors announce indefinite hunger strike on March 5 over pay revision

FOGDA represents nearly 15,000 government doctors across Tamil Nadu, has been advocating for the fulfilment of four key demands: implementation of GO 354, which has been pending since 2017, to compress the present DACP to provide early PB4 to Government Doctors, Allotting Rs. 3,000 for Primary Health Center (PHC) doctors, reinstating the 1500 posts that were lost due to the implementation of GO4 (D)2 H&FW dt15.02.2019, and providing stand-alone PG increments.

“We have met with the Honourable Minister for Health and Family Welfare several times to discuss our issues. Furthermore, multiple official meetings have been conducted in the presence of the Health Secretary to deliberate on these grievances. We have been consistently raised through proper channels to draw the attention of the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu,” the association stated.

In 2024, the association already requested the government to implement G.O. Ms. No.354 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department on October 23, 2009, relating to the Dynamic Assured Career Progression scheme. The association also sought a reduction in the duration required for time-bound promotions and pay progression, which currently stands at 8, 15, 17 and 20 years. According to FOGDA, this matter has remained unresolved since 2017.

The federation had also demanded amendments to G.O.(Ms) No.293 dated June 18, 2021. Specifically, it sought the removal of a statement in Paragraph 3 of the order that reads, “There is no justification for the advancement of Dynamic Assured Career Progression.” Additionally, it called for the elimination of the classification of specialities as “scarce” and “non-scarce,” and the distinction between “difficult” and “non-difficult” categories for MBBS doctors. The association further urged that the increment components mentioned in the same government order be placed under a separate sub-clause.

FOGDA noted that, following a joint representation by various doctors’ associations, the government had earlier amended the first-cited order by withdrawing the categorisation of scarce and non-scarce specialities for granting allowances to doctors holding postgraduate degrees or diplomas.

In a government order issued by the Additional Chief Secretary in 2024, the government assured that to address other demands raised by doctors’ bodies, the government had decided to form a committee comprising the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, the Director of Medical Education and Research, and the Director of Medical and Rural Health Services. The panel was tasked with examining the associations’ requests in detail. The Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine was directed to consolidate the committee’s observations and submit a comprehensive report with specific remarks to the government. However, all the demands of the doctors have not been addressed yet.

“No concrete steps have been seen. Following these efforts, a negotiation was held on January 19, 2026, involving officials from the Finance Department, who assured us that an appropriate solution would be reached. Despite these assurances, a resolution has not yet been achieved. Consequently, the Federation organized a non-cooperation movement, a 48-hour hunger strike, and a march to submit a petition at the Kalaignar Statue,” the association stated.

Since no solution has been provided, the Executive Committee of the Federation has decided to initiate a fast-unto-death. This indefinite hunger strike will commence on March 5, 2026, in Chennai, and it will be headed by Dr P. Balakrishnan, Dr P. Saminathan, Dr M. Akilan and Dr C. Sundaresan.