Ahmedabad Medical Faculty Protest

With the demand for higher non-practising allowance in line with the 7th Pay Commission being rejected by the State Government, the faculty members of six government colleges and eight GMERS colleges have decided to go on a hunger strike from Wednesday to press the government to meet their demands.

Holding the view that they have been duped by the government authorities who previously assured to resolve their issues, faculty members confirmed that the protest will continue until the government provides them with a written assurance of taking note of their demands.

It had earlier been reported that almost 1700 tutors, assistant professors, associate professors, and professors of six medical colleges came under the banner of the Gujarat Medical Teachers Association (GMTA) and had launched a relay hunger strike to press their demands including higher non-practising allowance (NPA). However, it withdrew the agitation after getting a "positive response" from the government to its demands.

Also Read: Gujarat: Medical Teachers on COVID duties threaten strike over salary revision, pending demands

Recently, after finding the government's apathy and non-completion of their demands, the faculty members decided to resume their strike.

One of the protesting faculty members told the Times of India, "We decided to call off our strike last week after a senior minister assured us of a positive response. But there seem to be some differences within the government as a result of which our demands have been rejected. Hence, we have decided to go on a hunger strike. We will also decide the further course of action on Wednesday."

Also Read: Demand for Higher NPA: Gujarat Medical college teachers withdraw hunger strike after govt's assurance

The association demanded immediate action to resolve emolument issues to ensure a rise in non-practising allowance in line with the 7th pay commission and also sought the abolition of contractual appointments.

The medical college teachers cannot continue private practice and instead receive an additional allowance as compensation. GMTA demanded that the medical teachers should be allowed to continue their private practice after 10 years of regular services.

Referring to one of the government resolutions of 2017, GMTA urged the government to initiate an increase in their maximum monthly salary, adds the daily.

GMTA also demanded the implementation of a career advancement scheme and time-bound promotion for the medical teachers. The medical teachers have been especially irked by the fact that the government has decided to increase emoluments of interns and resident doctors but the authorities have systematically ignored GMTA's other pending demands. About 700 teachers of GMERS colleges participated in the strike. Some members of GMERS doctors even staged a token protest on Tuesday at Sola Civil Hospital.