Government offers junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh 10% stipend hike, falls short of demand

A government committee has offered junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh a 10% stipend hike for interns and 3% for postgraduate and super-speciality students, with annual 3% increases thereafter, though the doctors' body is pressing for a steeper 13% raise across categories.

The high-level panel from the state Health Department met representatives of the Junior Doctors' Association (JUDA) on Thursday in compliance with Andhra Pradesh High Court directions, marking the first formal engagement on six demands raised by the association.

Five of six demands resolved

Health and Medical Department Secretary G. Veerapandian, who chaired the meeting alongside Director of Medical Education A. Vishnuvardhan and Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences Registrar Sudheer, assured JUDA president Eshwar and other representatives that five of their six demands posed no cause for concern. The committee confirmed that another round of talks would focus exclusively on the outstanding stipend dispute.

Clarifications on recruitment and working conditions

On non-clinical doctor recruitment, a key worry for JUDA, Mr. Veerapandian clarified that the government follows National Medical Commission guidelines permitting up to 30% of posts for candidates with MSc, PhD and equivalent qualifications, while only 11.05% of positions have been filled through this route so far.

The Secretary said the DME has already issued instructions to hospital superintendents on prescribed working hours and basic facilities for junior doctors, warning that the government would act against superintendents who fail to comply.

Retirement age and senior residents

Regarding demands to raise the retirement age of professors, the government stated no policy decision has been made and committed to consulting JUDA when the matter arises.

The committee clarified that senior resident stipends would be examined separately, noting that senior residents fall outside JUDA's jurisdiction. The impasse over intern, PG and super-speciality stipends, where the government's proposed increases fall short of JUDA's 13% demand, will be taken up in the next meeting.

Source: The Hindu