Late Stipends: GMC Medicos threaten non-cooperation

Nagpur: Upset with not getting their stipends on time, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) in the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has threatened of non-cooperation with the government.

According to a recent media report, the association of resident doctors across the state has warned the concerned authorities of non-cooperation if their hard-earned stipends are not paid before the November 10, the date which was agreed upon last month in accord with Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER).

The ultimatum came after the doctors didn’t receive their stipends till 5^th November. However given the next few days after 5^th November were holidays, the medicos decided to give the authorise time till 10th November afraid that this time too, they may not get the stipend in time.

Confirming the warning, GMCH’s president of MARD Dr Ashutosh Jadhao told TOI that he has already submitted a letter to College Dean Dr Abhimanyu Niswade on 5^th November notifying him about the non-cooperation.

He informed that in the month October, the GMCH residents had got their stipend on October 22. “Not getting the stipend for even months has become a routine here. The problem is not with all medical colleges. This has been happening only in our college. This indicates that the fault lies somewhere with the local administration,” Dr Jadhao added.

TOI reports that the Directorate of Medical Education and Research has refused to admit its part in the late release of resident doctors’ pay, and have ‘categorically’ held the college administration responsible for the “mess”.

Nevertheless, the resident doctors are accused of sending their attendance in time to calculate the amount. Speaking to TOI, the Dean blamed the resident doctors for not submitting the attendance in time and said that he has not been approached by the MARD yet as stated by the association.

Recalling the proposal, which was sent earlier to the concerned department in a bid to prevent the late release the resident doctors’ salaries, the MARD officials informed, “When Dr Prakash Wakode (now joint DMER director) was the dean of Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital in the city, he had proposed that hike for regular employees the residents’ stipend should also be brought under the negative balance head so that they get the stipend even when there are no funds available. But his proposal went to deaf ears.”

However, the DMER head Dr Pravin Shingare told TOI that this problem was restricted to very few colleges like GMCH. “Others didn’t have this problem as they submit the requirement of funds for the stipend in time. In fact, there is chance to make supplementary demand thrice a year just before every legislative assembly session. But, the GMCH doesn’t send its request in time so funds are not released in required quantity. I have sent a letter to the dean for releasing the stipend on time from the PLA funds,” informed Dr Shingare.

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