The Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA) has called off its two-day strike after reaching an agreement with the Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government late Friday night. The decision came after the state government addressed three major demands made by the doctors, which had previously led to a severe disruption of health services in government medical institutions across the state.
In a statement issued just before midnight, the HCMSA announced that the strike was suspended following the government’s commitment to meet their demands by August 15. The association’s general secretary, Dr. Anil Yadav, confirmed that the government had agreed to the doctors’ proposals and would notify them accordingly.
Key Outcomes of the Agreement:
- Emergency Duty Allowance: The government has agreed to provide a monetary allowance for doctors who visit hospitals or dispensaries during odd hours to handle emergencies. This allowance, designed to compensate doctors for out-of-hours duties, will be up to ₹7,200 per month. The specifics of this allowance will be subject to certain conditions, including the minimum amount and frequency of visits.
- Grade Pay Anomalies: The state government has promised to address and rectify anomalies related to grade pay, a significant issue for many doctors. The assurance includes the swift notification of the specialist cadre, which is expected to resolve a major concern for the medical professionals.
- Specialist Cadre and Career Progression: The government has committed to expediting the notification of the specialist cadre, which is anticipated to improve career progression and address several other concerns raised by doctors. This cadre, once established, will significantly impact the career paths of medical professionals in Haryana.
Impact of the Strike:
The indefinite strike, which began on Thursday, had severely affected health services at state-run hospitals. The HCMSA’s demands included reducing the bond amount for postgraduate courses, establishing a specialist cadre, amending service rules to prevent direct recruitment of senior medical officers, ensuring assured career progression (ACP), and aligning allowances with those provided to central government doctors.
The resolution of the strike came after prolonged negotiations involving key state officials, including Haryana Chief Principal Secretary Rajesh Khullar, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Sudhir Rajpal, and Additional Principal Secretary (to CM) Amit Kumar Agarwal. The discussions, which extended over six hours on Thursday and continued into Friday, focused on addressing the doctors’ concerns and implementing the necessary measures.
Government Response:
Following the talks, senior government officials highlighted that the agreements made would address the majority of the doctors’ issues, particularly concerning their career advancement and compensation. The swift resolution aims to restore normalcy in health services and ensure that doctors can continue their vital work without further disruption.
The HCMSA’s decision to call off the strike marks a significant step towards resolving the ongoing issues within Haryana’s healthcare system and ensuring better working conditions for its medical professionals.