Chandigarh

On a meeting regarding the Medical Education & Research Department at Punjab Bhawan, Chunni Lal Bhagat, Medical Education and Research Minister, Punjab, said that the doctors in government service should not be involved in private practice. Bhagat also disclosed that a delegation of Government Ayurvedic & Unani Upvaid Union (Punjab) submitted the memorandum and requested to raise the eligibility criteria of the D. Pharmacy (Up-vaid) from 10 to 10+2, which has been accepted.

In the meeting, the Punjab Medical & Dental Teacher’s Association presented their demands, which he patiently heard and assured the delegation that he will look into the matter. A committee of the Principals and the Medical Superintendents was also constituted. The committee would submit the report to the Director Research & Medical Education, who would further submit the recommendations to the government for its consideration. The major demands of the association includes the Time Scale promotions, Academic Allowance, Research Allowance, Academic Leave, inclusion of NPA for all intent & purposes and few other.

Bhagat has taken a serious view of private practice being done by some of the doctors, who are degrading the image of the department. The Principals were instructed to convey the clear-cut message that the faculty should desist from such activities.

The prominent amongst other, who were present in the meeting included; Mrs. Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary, Harbhupinder Singh Nanda, Special Secretary, Dr. A.S. Thind, Director of Research & Medical Education Department, Principals of Government Medical College, Patiala and Amritsar, Principal of Government Ayurvedic College, Patiala and Medical Superintendent Government Medical College, Patiala.