Retirement Age of Medical Faculty to increase from 65 to 70 years in UP

Lucknow: With 13 new medical colleges coming up in the state in the next three years and five of them initiating their academic sessions from 2019, the yogi government is pondering over increasing the retirement age of faculty members from 65 to 70 years to overcome faculty shortages.

The Health Education Minister, Ashutosh Tandon announcing a shortage of Professors and Lecturers in medical colleges said efforts were on to overcome the shortage, by enhancing the age of retirement from 65 to 70 years. "Besides, the government is also ready to give them other incentives," he said. The announcement was made recently in the state assembly

In response to a question of BSP member, Lalji Verma, the Minister said the government was pondering over implementing the Medical Council of India (MCI) recommendations for promotion of professors and lecturers. "This year 313 teachers have been appointed, while 278 have been promoted. But unfortunately, 113 teachers did not join their duties," he told the Pioneer.

Tandon also apprised that the government was making doctors fill up bonds while pursuing their MDs so that they could join as teachers in the state medical colleges.

The minister also informed that against 388 posts of professors in state medical colleges, 137 posts were vacant, against 507 posts of Associate Professors 205 posts were vacant and of the total 949 posts of Lecturers or Assistant Professors, there were 240 vacancies.

"This government is committed to improving health services in the state, therefore, it has proposed the opening of new medical colleges. At present, the state has 13 medical colleges but now the BJP government will add another 13 in just three years time," the minister announced.

Talking of MD qualified doctors preferring private practice to teaching, the BSP member said the delay in appointment processes kept people away from teaching assignments. He further promoted campus recruitment to enhance teaching profiles.