Doctors Association criticises TN govt for cancelling medical officers pension
A recent government order stated that after careful consideration and due to changed circumstances, in view of the implementation of various welfare schemes in the public interest, it is utmost necessary to re-visit the said orders.
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CHENNAI: The Doctors Association for Social Equality has taken a strong exception to the State government’s recent order to reduce the pension and family pension of medical officers.
A recent government order stated that after careful consideration and due to changed circumstances, in view of the implementation of various welfare schemes in the public interest, it is necessary to re-visit the said orders. Accordingly, the government directed the cancellation of the Enhanced Pension or Family Pension drawn by Medical Officers or their family members.
The Heads of the Department of Treasuries and Accounts were directed to issue necessary instructions to revise the pension and re-fix their pension appropriately and issue revised pension fixation orders for drawing pension or family pensions.
The medical officers will continue to receive the pension they were getting before the enhancement, the order read. In effect, the enhanced pension has been cut off. “The enhanced pension or family pension already drawn till the issue of orders will be waived, and no recovery will be effected,” the order stated.
The general secretary of the Doctors’ Association for Social Equality, Dr GR Ravindranath, condemned the move, calling it an anti-labour policy. “The government’s decision to reduce the pension of retired doctors, allegedly to fund welfare schemes for the people, has been met with widespread criticism. The association argues that this move will affect the livelihood of over 850 retired doctors,” he said.
The association has urged the government to reconsider its decision, stating that reducing the pension of retired doctors is unfair and unjust. He added that the government should explore alternative sources of funding for welfare schemes, rather than targeting the pension of retired doctors who had already finished extending their services.
Dr Ravindranath also stated that it is an infringement of the rights of retired doctors who have dedicated their lives to serving the people at the government hospitals. Taking into consideration the predicament of the retired medical officers, the government should withdraw the same, he appealed to the DMK government.
