Docs, Pb ministers meet, but strike call stays

Chandigarh: Punjab finance minister Harpal Cheema, health minister Balbir Singh, principal secretary (health and family welfare) Kumar Rahul, principal secretary (finance) Ajoy Kumar Sinha, and director (health) Dr Hitinder Kaur held a meeting on Tuesday with a five-member delegation of Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA). The meeting addressed concerns raised by the association regarding stalled assured career progressions, a shortage of medical officers, and an unsafe working environment.
"PCMSA was apprised that preparation of an overall framework regarding the calculations is underway and the modalities will be shared with PCMSA in a meeting with the FD on January 10 (Friday)," the association said in a written statement "PCMSA has categorically reiterated its stand that the cadre will not settle for anything less than DACPs (dynamic assured career progressions) in the form and manner as were applicable before July 1, 2021, as duly promised/committed to by the govt in writing and in their official public/press appearances," read the statement. It added: "The modalities shared with PCMSA on Jan 10 will be shared with the cadre and accordingly, an appropriate plan of action, if needed, will be announced on Jan 12 at a GBM (general body meeting) to be held at Moga." The PCMSA stated, "As of now, the call for suspension of services from Jan 20 onwards stays." PCMSA has given a call to suspend OPD services in facilities across the state from Jan 20. This protest is against "non-issuance of notifications on reinstatement of dynamic assured career progressions (DACPs) in the exact form and manner in which it was prior to July 1, 2021, and security framework rollout" for health officials.