Stipend Issue: GMC Cuddalore MBBS doctors, PG medicos withdraw strike after TN Govt assurance

Written by Sanchari Chattopadhyay Published On 2022-01-29T09:00:00+05:30 | Updated On 29 Jan 2022 9:00 AM IST

Stipend Issue: GMC Cuddalore MBBS doctors, PG medicos withdraw strike after TN Govt assurance

Cuddalore: Protesting over non-payment of stipend for past 8 months, MBBS doctors and postgraduate students of Government Medical College (GMC), Cuddalore have withdrawn the strike as Tamil Nadu government agreed to pay them stipends at par with their counterparts in other medical colleges in the state.

A meeting Chaired by the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department and OSD Principal Secretary, Health, Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department, Director of Medical Education, Registrar of Annamalai University including Medical Superintendent and other officials concerned with the matter was held to resolve the agitations by the CRRI and PG Students of Annamalai University.

Previously, Medical Dialogues had reported that MBBS interns were on strike for almost a week as they did not receive their stipend for the last eight consecutive months. The interns were not paid a stipend since their appointment on May 23, 2021. The intern doctors were given Rs 3000 as a stipend in 2020 while the other government colleges under Health and Family Welfare Department get Rs 25000 per month. However, they were not paid even that amount for the last 8 months after the government took over the college. Even the senior doctors were not given any subsidy for the last 9 months.

Also Read: No stipend since 8 months: GMC Cuddalore MBBS interns on strike

During the meeting, the representatives of the doctors commented on the issue of stipend, and stated, " It is seen that the NMC/ erstwhile MCI Guidelines mandate that the stipend being paid in the State should be paid by the Medical Colleges run in the State, i.e. this should be given by even the private and Deemed Universities and hence Medical college at the Annamalai University, which had since been taken over cannot deny. As a matter, similar allowances/stipends are given respectively to dental courses also."

" Considering the clear position indicated in the relevant guidelines applicable to the respective students, it was agreed to move the proposal to sanction the applicable revised stipend amount as being extended to the students of Government Medical Colleges, immediately and the issue was resolved within a period of next 3 weeks. Any directions or orders already issued or in existence, which are contrary to the NMC/ MCI Guidelines will also be reviewed", said the minutes of the meeting.

Moreover, it should be made possible that the registration of postgraduate students is not delayed citing bond service. Implementation of Bond/utilization of their services in available vacancies and in specialities where no vacancies are available, in case of inability to provide postings issue of release of certificates etc., separate minutes would be issued as discussed in consultation with the DME to ensure that the outstanding issues in this regard are sorted out amicably in a mutually agreeable manner as discussed in the meeting.

Government Medical College CuddaloreMBBShealth departmentpending stipendstrikeDMEstrike withdrawnUGPGprotestintern doctors

Sanchari Chattopadhyay

Sanchari Chattopadhyay has pursued her M.A in English and Culture Studies from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. She likes observing cultural specificities and exploring new places.