AMHSDA demands NPA in line with Central Rules
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 23 2020: The All Manipur Health Services Doctors' Association (AMHSDA) has resolved to demand Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) in line with the pattern of Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016.This statement was made by the president of the AMHSDA, Dr P Shyamsunder during a press meet held at the office of the Medical Directorate, Lamphel.

He said that a general body meeting in this regard was held on September 12 at IMA Hall where the members unanimously resolved to urge the State Government to ensure NPA pattern similar to that of the Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016.Earlier, a delegate of the AMHSDA had met the Chief Minister on August 26 to discuss NPA and a memorandum in this regard was also submitted, he said.

AMHSDA demands NPA in line with Central Rules

Dr P Shyamsunder further said that the September 12 meeting had also decided to prepare and effectuate Manipur Health Services (MHS) Rules, 2020 by December this year.

The meeting had also discussed the difficulties faced by the association members due to the new pension scheme and plight of its members at JNIMS, he said.

As an initiation, the association had sent a proposal in connection with the matter to the Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) on February 20, he said urging the State Government to consider the earlier proposal as well as to convene a drafting committee meeting for MHS Rules, 2020 at the earliest.

There is a rising disparity in salary and stature of the MHS Doctors under the existing MHS Rules, 1982 when compared to employees of the other departments, he said and further said that the said Rules also lack time scale promotion features.

In the meantime, an officer in the rank of Joint Director is serving as the Project Director of Manipur Aids Control Society since its inception and similarly the Director of the Family Welfare Services or a senior officer of MHS has been generally serving as the State Mission Director of the National Health Mission, he said.

The office of the State Mission Director is at times held by MCS officers and as such there are cases of communication gap among the officials and their functioning, he said while urging all concerned to appoint a senior officer of MHS as the State Mission Director to avert such inconveniences.

Dr P Shyamsunder also urged authorities concerned to extend to MHS officers and Health Workers the incentive of Rs 50 lakh as announced by the Central Government for casualty among COVID warriors in their line of duty.

Shyamsunder, on behalf of the association also denounced discrimination of the doctors, nurse, paramedic and other health workers who are working selflessly in the fight against the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.

The press meet was also attended by AMHSDA's general secretary, Dr L Arke, advisors of the association including Dr Th Suresh and Dr Sh Surchandra.