VS holds talks with doctors

Thiruvananthapuram:

The strike by government doctors, which crossed 70 days, may finally be over in the next few days, thanks to the intervention of Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan.
The Chief Minister accepted the argument of government doctors that instead of special allowances they be given the amount as special pay, which would ensure that all doctors, including those in the entry cadre, benefit from it, president of the Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association Sunny P. Orathel told The Hindu.
KGMOA office-bearers met Mr. Achuthanandan along with Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy on Saturday. In the briefing which lasted barely 10 minutes, the Chief Minister asked the doctors to submit their proposal for special pay in detail on Monday.Proposal accepted
“We told the Chief Minister that we were willing to settle for a special pay as it would benefit the entire cadre and that the allowances declared by the government earlier was not acceptable to us as it would only give benefits to a few specialists. He asked us if we would end the strike if the special pay was accepted and we replied in the affirmative,” Dr. Sunny said.
Mr. Achuthanandan was told that the doctors were not willing to accept allowances as it was not of a permanent nature and whereas a special pay would be carried over when the next Pay Commission was set up.
Ms. Sreemathy, when contacted, expressed happiness and relief that finally there seemed to be a way out of the stalemate.
“We have asked the KGMOA to submit a written proposal for special pay in detail.
“I myself spoke to the Chief Minister after the High Court order yesterday and appealed for his intervention. We are confident that we will resolve this issue soon,” the Minister said.
The KGMOA, following an order by the Kerala High Court on Friday, agreed to withdraw its strike for the next four weeks so that the government could take a decision on resolving the current stalemate.Panel to meet today
The KGMOA’s State committee would meet tomorrow and discuss the finer details of the proposal for converting the allowances as special pay. The Finance Department had earlier objected to the suggestion about special pay put forth by the KGMOA.
“We will work out the details in such a way that our junior doctors (Assistant Surgeons) get the maximum benefit.
“We have already told the government that we are willing to give up all allowances for specialists declared by the government,” Dr. Sunny said.
Chief Secretary Sheela Thomas and Special Secretary, Health, Usha Titus were present during the meeting with the Chief Minister.