AIIMS docs ask for review of 7th pay panel’s terms

The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to review the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations, as they would reduce the salaries of doctors working in the public health sector significantly. They have said if the government does not consider their demands, they will move to private sector.

The Panel has advised the government to reduce the Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) of doctors from 25 to to 20 per cent. Also, it has suggested that the House Rental Allowance (HRA) of doctors be calculated on the basis of basic pay only. As of now, it is being calculated on the basis of basic pay plus the NPA.

“The government sector is already suffering from shortage of doctors. The biggest reason is the unattractive salary and poor career growth. Government doctors are already leaving the public health sector,” Dr Vijay Gurjar, President of AIIMS RDA, said.