Dimapur, March 31: The Government of Nagaland has expressed displeasure over the threats issued by NIDA to intensify its symbolic protest on the issue of superannuation age of doctors, saying making such public statements and not withdrawing their protest do not in any way help in resolving the matter under consideration.
Reacting to reports in a section of the media on the NIDA’s warning, a clarification issued by the State Government though the Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) stated that the issue of superannuation age of doctors was considered by the Cabinet in its meeting held on 14.01.2021 wherein it was decided to discuss the matter with NSF by Cabinet Sub-Committee in the first instance.
The Cabinet Sub-Committee has had discussions with NSF and other stakeholders since then, and the matter is under active consideration of the Government at the Cabinet level, it said.
“The fact that the 2020-21 financial year, on account of the prevailing COVID pandemic, had forced the Government to take stringent measures to check its expenditures, including by way of banning of fresh appointments is also pertinent,” stated the clarification.
The Government disclosed that detailed facts of the issue were placed before NIDA office bearers and the need to allow the consultative process to be completed for a robust decision highlighted in various meetings that the Chief Minister, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, State Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare has had with NIDA officials.
“However, it is noted with regret that NIDA has not taken cognizance of the counsel given and the genuine appeal to withdraw the symbolic protest,” it regretted.
The clarification also pointed out that the Government has taken a number of steps towards improving the service conditions of doctors including creation of one post of Director (Dental) in 2019 and in 2020 created 134 posts of various categories of doctors (Director (ME&RS:1; ZLO: 5, DVBO: 8; Specialist: 68; MO: 44; Dental Surgeon: 3 & AYUSH MO: 11), encadrement of 2 posts of DVBO in 2020, restructuring eligibility criteria for promotion to enable senior officers to qualify for promotion by reducing the tenure requirements in the higher grade, approving setting up of two Medical Colleges, and development of health infrastructure in the State.Stating that the Government is committed to improve the health infrastructure and better service conditions for Government medical professionals with the objective of improved public health delivery, it maintained that the Government has to examine the matter in all its dimensions through consultative process, keeping in view the legal and administrative complexities on account of the specific conditions of the State.
“It is urged that NIDA, knowing fully that the matter is under active consideration and to be taken up by the Cabinet and other facts as highlighted above, should have refrained from making such public statements and should withdraw their protest, which does not in any way help in resolving the matter under consideration,” it said. (Page News Service)
