NSF asks striking doctors to reconsider demands on superannuation age

November 2, 2022 42 Views No Comment

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 2 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has appealed to doctors on strike to re-consider their stand regarding the superannuation age of medical doctors in Nagaland “in the interest of the general public and to safeguard the future of the young upcoming generation.” “This, while keeping in mind the resource crunch and the paucity of the employment opportunities in the state,” a press release from the NSF President, Kegwayhun Tep stated.

The NSF informed that in light of the Nagaland In-service Doctors Association’s (NIDA) demand and taking into account the prolonged struggle the NSF had undergone to bring about the existing retirement policy of the state government employees, the matter was thoroughly deliberated in a number of Federal Assemblies and Presidential Council meetings of the federation.

The federation reiterated its earlier resolution to demand the Government of Nagaland to maintain status quo with regard to the superannuation age of Medical doctors and all other services in the state. This resolution was unanimously adopted during the 2nd Emergency Presidential council meeting of the Federation held on September 21 at the NSF Oking.

The federation said that NIDA’s demands are not justified as the state cabinet in its meeting held on April 21, 2022 yielded to their previous demands and decided “to enhance the superannuation age of all medical doctors including AYUSH and Dental doctors, from 60 to 62 years of age through re-employment as a consultant /senior consultant/specialist to work in the hospitals and clinics.”

“This was done after the state cabinet thoroughly perused the government of India instructions/guidelines on the matter. It should be noted that the state government has all the rights to legislate and decide on the retirement age of the Medical Doctors without any interference from the central government as ‘Public Health’ is a state subject,” the NSF added.

It further said that the claim by NIDA that all the states in India have yielded to the PM’s announcement except for Nagaland and Meghalaya is “misleading the public.” “One example contrary to this claim is the state of Haryana, wherein, the retirement age of medical doctors was brought down to 58 from 65 years of age with the opportunity of re-employment to the doctors of both the cadres of medical and dental of Health Department, on yearly basis up to 65 years of age subject to certain criteria,” the NSF pointed out.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/nsf-asks-striking-doctors-to-reconsider-demands-on-superannuation-age