Kerala Govt doctors threaten indefinite strike over unmet demands

Thiruvananthapuram: Amid accusations by the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers' Association (KGMCTA) that the state government has ignored long-pending demands of medical college doctors, even as the Cabinet announced a slew of welfare measures in its latest meeting, the association warned of launching an indefinite strike if the government failed to take action.

According to an IANS report, the association on Thursday said the continued neglect of medical college doctors — who shoulder both patient care and teaching responsibilities — was “deeply unjust” and warned of launching an indefinite strike.

KGMCTA said none of its key demands had been addressed despite repeated assurances.

Medical Dialogues recently reported that, protesting the State Government's failure to address long-pending demands, including delayed pay revisions and staff shortages, doctors have announced a boycott of outpatient services on October 28, 2025.

Also Read:Kerala Govt doctors boycott OPD, warn of indefinite strike over pending demands

These include rectifying anomalies in the entry-level pay structure, clearing arrears from the 2016 pay revision, creating new teaching and medical posts in recently established colleges, improving hospital infrastructure, releasing pending dearness allowance (DA) dues, and lifting what it called an “unfair” pension ceiling imposed on state-paid faculty.

The association pointed out that pay anomalies affecting Assistant Professors have made government service unattractive, pushing young doctors toward the private sector.

Although the 2016 pay revision was finally implemented in 2020, the arrears remain unpaid, even as other state employees have received their full dues.

“It is deeply regrettable that doctors who risked their lives during the Covid crisis and brought pride to the state have been completely ignored,” the statement said.

KGMCTA also criticised the government’s failure to sanction new posts in medical colleges at Kasaragod and Wayanad.

“Files related to post creation have been gathering dust in the Health and Finance departments for over a year, despite repeated government promises,” it noted.

The association added that imposing a pension ceiling aligned to state scales — while medical college doctors draw central-scale salaries — was “unjust and demoralising”, reports IANS.

Warning of stronger action, KGMCTA said its Central Executive Committee would convene soon to decide on an indefinite strike if the government continued its indifference.

Also Read:Kerala Medical College Teachers announce protest over unresolved demands