TN Govt doctors' body hold sit-in protest demanding pending allowances

Chennai: Demanding immediate steps to implement necessary orders ensuring the grant of allowances, almost 125 doctors working in the government hospitals of Tamil Nadu staged a sit-in protest at the Directorate of Medical Education and Research in Kilpauk on Wednesday.

The doctors came under the banner of the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors’ Association (TNGDA) and asked for swift implementation of Government Order (G.O.) 293 regarding allowances for doctors. The said GO was issued on June 18, 2021. 

As per a recent media report by The Hindu, K. Senthil, president of TNGDA stated, "The government is delaying implementation citing opposition from a group of doctors. If implemented, nearly 15,000 doctors will benefit, with the hike in allowances ranging from ₹3,000 to ₹25,000. This depends on the qualification of doctors, while those working in difficult areas, such as institutions in remote areas, comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care centres, trauma, and casualty units, will also stand to benefit." 

He further added that on implementing the G.O. properly, the arrears that were pending for the last 26 months would also be paid. According to him, up to 75 doctors, two of whom were women, were detained during the agitation for causing a roadblock at Poonamallee High Road. Dr. Senthil also stated that they also met with the Director of Medical Education to raise their concerns. 

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that Tamil Nadu Government Doctors’ Association (TNGDA) members went on a one-day hunger strike in March demanding the implementation of the Government Order (G.O.) 293 that grants allowances to doctors. Over 300 doctors, including state and district office bearers of the association, participated in the hunger strike near Rajarathinam Stadium in Chennai.

The Chief Minister issued the Government Order 293 for payment of incentives totalling around ₹200 crores a year within one month of assuming office on June 18, 2021. But the G.O. has not been implemented so far. It has been stated that the government doctors lost from ₹75,000 to ₹4 lakh due to non-implementation of the G.O.