UP bonded doctors in protest assured uniform payscale, govt order expected soon

Lucknow: With bonded doctors protesting for days over their demand for 'one bond, one salary', with equal pay and allowances, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak met the protesting doctors and assured them that a uniform pay scale would be implemented.

Pathak said a government order addressing their salary concerns would be issued by Thursday and sought time from the doctors until 2 PM on September 3.

On Wednesday, bonded doctors staged a protest at the Atal Chowk in Hazratganj.

MBBS doctors from the 2018, 2019, and 2020 batches of Uttar Pradesh's government medical colleges are protesting against salary disparities. The doctors alleged that despite having the same degree, the same bond, and the same service, they are being paid different salaries.

They stated that while bonded doctors at Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centres receive only Rs 50,000-65,000 per month without allowances, those posted at government medical colleges receive Level-10 pay with applicable allowances, while NHM doctors doing similar work at CHCs/PHCs earn over Rs 1 lakh. Hence, they are demanding "one bond, one salary" with equal pay and allowances for all bonded doctors.

Meeting with Pathak

After reaching the protest site, Pathak held discussions with the doctors. The doctors placed their demands and explained the alleged differences in remuneration among bonded doctors.

Hearing their concerns, Pathak assured them that the government would introduce a uniform pay scale to remove the disparity. He assured the doctors that the government order relating to their demand would be issued by Thursday.

From the protest site, Pathak also spoke to the officials concerned and directed them to take the necessary steps, as per TOI report.

Speaking to IANS, Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak said, "I have heard our MBBS students' issues and accepted their demands and agreed that equal pay must be provided to all. Orders were already issued to the ACS this morning (Wednesday morning) at 6:00 AM; the file is currently moving, and a formal government order will be issued tomorrow, ensuring our government stands firmly with its students, children, and youth. Equal pay will be provided whether our doctor brothers and sisters work in Medical Education or the Health Department..."

The assurance brought relief to the protesting doctors, who welcomed the government’s intervention and expressed hope that the promised order would be issued within the given timeframe.

Sharing the update on social media platform X, an MBBS doctor said, "Today, @brajeshpathakup Ji reached the dharna site, met with the students, and while assuring a resolution on the issue of equal pay, asked for time until 2 PM on September 3rd. Now, the bond doctors are awaiting the government's response until tomorrow at 2 PM. Hoping that justice will be served by 2 PM tomorrow."

Doctors' concerns

Medical Dialogues had reported two days ago that bonded doctors in Uttar Pradesh had taken to the streets demanding “one bond, one salary” and equal pay and allowances. The doctors have alleged a disparity in remuneration between those posted at CHCs and PHCs and those serving at government medical colleges. While medical college doctors receive Level-10 pay along with allowances including DA, HRA, NPA and TA, the doctors posted at CHCs and PHCs claimed they are denied these benefits despite having the same MBBS qualification, service obligation and Rs 10 lakh bond.

The doctors also highlighted the additional financial burden of rural postings, including travel and accommodation expenses, and said they continue to receive lower remuneration despite performing regular Medical Officer duties. The issue, according to their representation, affects around 1,879 bonded MBBS doctors across CHCs and PHCs in the state.

Demands

The doctors are demanding Level-10/5,400 Grade Pay remuneration for bonded doctors posted at CHCs and PHCs, at par with bonded doctors serving at government medical colleges. They have also demanded applicable DA, HRA, NPA, and TA, along with the immediate release of admissible arrears for the affected batches for periods of service already rendered.

They have also sought a time-bound written decision and official communication, with an early appointment/meeting with representatives of the doctors, equal pay for all bonded doctors performing equivalent duties, irrespective of batch, institution of graduation, or place/institution of posting, appropriate allowance for doctors serving at remote, rural and difficult CHC/PHC postings and provision of annual increment as applicable, so that remuneration does not remain stagnant under the outdated fixed-pay structure.

Also read- One bond, One salary: UP Bonded doctors protest over pay disparity