Kerala ups perks for doctors, to set up specialty cadre

In a bid to lure the striking doctors in the state back to work, the Kerala government today gave the nod for a special package that provided for enhancement of perks.

A meeting of the state, which approved this move, also decided to constitute a specialty administrative cadre in the state health department.

As many as 1,600-plus doctors are currently on a non-cooperation strike boycotting all special duties at various district and taluk hospitals and primary health centres in Kerala.

The cabinet also decided that Kerala Minister for Health P K Sreemathy would be entrusted with the job of holding yet another round of talks with the striking doctors.

Later, talking to reporters, P K Sreemathy said the special package for the doctors would mean an additional commitment of around Rs 25 crore a year for the government.

As per the package, the doctors would be eligible for a handful of additional allowances and fringe benefits. These apart, new posts would also be created. The specialty administrative cadre would be constituted with the creation of an additional 66 posts at the senior level. Every year on April 1, the department would take up the seniority list for review and promotions would be announced as per special rules, the minister added.

The government has also decided to increase the allowances granted to the doctors. The minister pointed out that doctors who work in far-flung rural areas would be granted an amount of Rs 3,500 as allowance, while those who serve in places difficult to work would be sanctioned allowances of Rs 5,000.

However, the striking doctors' demand for revision of pay-scales was ruled out by the minister, saying that salary hike for a particular section of the employees was not possible.

Meanwhile, the state government move has failed to enthuse the striking Kerala Medical Officers Association (KGMOA).

The association has decided to go ahead and continue with their work-to-rule agitation on the grounds that their key demand of pay revision had not been met by the administration.