The Hindu : New Delhi News : NDMC doctors facing pay scale stagnation

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Thursday, Jul 03, 2008
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New Delhi

NDMC doctors facing pay scale stagnation

Manisha Jha

Blatant non-compliance of norms by NDMC
Dissatisfaction among senior doctors

NEW DELHI: In a case of blatant non-compliance of the norms laid down by the Central Government, the New Delhi Municipal Council has not implemented the upgraded pay scales for eligible doctors from the Non-Functional Selection Grade and Specialist Grade to the Senior Administrative Grade since 1996.

This has led to stagnation of about 70 per cent of the NDMC doctors at the highest pay scale and much dissatisfaction among the senior doctors of the civic body.

The NFSG and Specialist Grade who are currently in the highest pay scale of Rs.14,300-18,300 are seeking upgrading to the SAG level with a pay scale of Rs.18,400-22,400.

The upgradation norm was part of the recommendations made by the Tikoo Committee which submitted its report in 1990 to improve the service and promotional avenues for doctors.

While the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Central Government Health Scheme, the Central Health Services, the Delhi Government, the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation as well as the Railways have gone ahead and implemented the norms about 10 years ago, the NDMC is still lagging behind.

A senior doctor working with the civic body said: “This non-implementation of norms by the NDMC has badly affected my career growth as I have been stagnating in the same pay scale compared with my contemporaries in CGHS and ESI who are far ahead of me. Though I was selected for both ESI and NDMC in 1974, I opted for the latter -- a decision I greatly regret now because had I chosen to work with ESI I would have done much better in my career.”

Another affected senior doctor said: “Though I joined in 1973, my pay scale has not changed since 1992 and now I am due to retire next month with the same pay scale so you can imagine the highly unfair state of affairs.”

The NDMC Doctors’ Association too has tried taking up the issue but to no avail.

An Association member said: “The Administration has all along been saying that the pay scale upgradation is not needed and hence has taken no action. Resultantly the NDMC has about 70 per cent doctors stagnating in the highest pay scale of Rs.14,300-18,300 and lesser people at the lower level. Several senior GDMOs, specialist doctors as well as the Director (Medical Services) and Medical Officer of Health are all in the same pay scale.”

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