GMCH Amritsar Radiologists allege non payment of salaries, threaten protest

Amritsar: At a time like this, when the health workers are offering their services day and night to handle the coronavirus pandemic, the radiologists of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Amritsar are enraged over the nonpayment of salaries for last 3 months.

The doctors stated that in spite of working in the COVID facilities nonstop, they have not yet received their salaries for the last 3 months. The hospital authorities also approached the government regarding the matter but to no use. Hence the doctors have informed the authorities that if their demand for salary is not fulfilled by the government, they will be compelled to go on strike and they will withdraw their services. 

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The radiologists have stated that doctors, nurses, and other medical staff have already received their salaries, it is only them who have not been paid yet. The Indian government has already given instructions to release the salaries of the health workers at the right time; however, in spite of the government guidelines, they have not received their salaries yet. 

One of the radiologists Dr Jagroop Singh told HT "At least seven radiologists, who were transferred to GMCH Amritsar from various government hospitals of Punjab in March 2019, have been working for seven days a week and performing their duties by risking their lives. But while the doctors, nurses, and other medical staff have received their salaries, our salaries have been pending since April".

He also urged the government to release the salaries immediately as some of them are the sole bread earners of the family and they are responsible for providing them. But due to the nonpayment of salaries, they have to face an economic crisis. 

Another Radiologist Dr Mandeep Kaur said "The Indian government had issued orders that all medical staff should be paid complete salaries and on time, and legal action will be taken against those who do not obey the orders. Even then, the state government is not paying salaries to radiologists, who are an essential part of the hospital".

The doctors also stated that the hospital authorities have approached the government several times, but the government has not yet taken any step to redress their plight. Mandeep Kaur also informed the media that "If our salaries are not paid, we will be forced to boycott Covid-19 duties in protest".