Association reiterates on three-day mass casual leave from April 18

Dimapur, April 12 (MExN): With the State Government’s deadline to resolve the matter of superannuation for medical doctors “within a period not exceeding one year” fast approaching, the Nagaland In-Service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) has reminded that its proposed three-day mass casual leave would begin on April 18 after the expiry of the deadline.

In a press release on Tuesday, NIDA President Dr E Phyantsuthung and General Secretary Dr Mereninla Senlem reminded that its demands on superannuation are based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement at Saharanpur (UP) on May 2016 that the retirement age of all Government Medical Doctors in the country would be raised to 65 years due to acute shortage of Medical doctors and to retain experienced doctors for a longer period.

“Taking a cue from the Prime Minister’s announcement almost all the states in the country including our neighbouring North Eastern states with similar financial constraints have implemented an increase in the superannuation age of medical doctors,” it stated.

In the context of Nagaland state, NIDA stated that it had scaled down the age of retirement to 62 years from the proposed age of 65 for all medical doctors irrespective of clinical or administrative roles, in order to maintain uniformity and smooth practical implementation.

It also pointed out that the demand is “is unique in the sense that it is not the Association raising the issue but... based on the PM’s announcement,” it underscored that the PM’s announcement was “specific for Government Medical doctors only and for a particular reason i.e. acute shortage of Medical doctors.” As such, other service associations cannot claim similar increase in superannuation age merely citing precedence, the release stated.

Buttressing its point, it said that in more than 25 states where superannuation for medical doctors has been implemented, “No such claim has been made by other services.”

Meanwhile, NIDA also addressed the objection raised by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) with regard to superannuation age of medical doctors.

“The NSF did not object to the increase in the superannuation age of the doctors in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur where they have a strong presence. Why should Naga doctors of Nagaland not get the benefits that the Naga doctors of Arunachal, Assam and Manipur are getting? Or is belonging to Nagaland state a disqualification to claim increase in superannuation age?” it posed.

Referring to the NSF’s recent resolution to urge the Nagaland Government to maintain status quo on the matter, NIDA further stated: “The Government should decide whether to listen to the student body’s resolution or the PM’s announcement.”

It further expressed gratitude to the ENSF for supporting NIDA’s genuine demand during the consultative meet of the stakeholders on March 1 at the Chief Secretary’s conference hall.