NPA is a part of Basic Pay of government doctors : Gujrat HC to govt

AHMEDABAD: Coming out clear in support of the medical fraternity, the Gujrat High court has directed the state government to treat Non-practicing Allowance (NPA) as a part of the basic pay in the salary computation of government doctors .

This comes after the state government decided to remove the NPA from the calculations of basic pay and hence further computation of the Dearness Allowance (DA) in 2004. The move was immediately opposed by the medical fraternity, who approached the state high court. However, the court at that time asked the doctors to make a representation to the state government in this regard. In 2008, the government refused to restore the old position so far as NPA's inclusion in basic pay was concerned report TOI, causing the doctors to again move the court.

The Court has now ordered the government to correct its interpretation, adding NPA to Basic pay for calculations of DA. Further the state government has been ordered by the court to compensate the doctors for the lost payments for the year 2004-2009.

The history of NPA in Gujrat goes back to the year 1965, when the government in order to attract doctors, and prevent them from indulging in private practice, began to give this allowance. Despite changes coming in the pay structure in the year 1970, NPA continued to be given and merged with basic pay for the purpose of computing TA and DA. Though the word 'allowance' was used, the amount was made part the basic pay with effect from 1986.