Retirement riddle: Doctors fume over notification

The notification about the increase in the retirement age of Medical Teachers holding MBBS degree has created ambiguity among the different stake holders of the medical fraternity. On Friday, the state government had issued the order according to which the age of retirement of the Medical Teachers of Rajasthan Medical Service has been raised to 65 years from 62 years. The order also states that “after attaining the age of 62 years, the services of such Medical Teachers shall be placed on Non Administrative positions only.” 

Resident doctors, who were in opposition of the increase in retirement age, said that the order is ‘not clear’. “The term ‘administrative position’, in the order, is not defined. If Unit Head and Head of the Department is included under the term ‘administrative posts’ with Principal and Medical Superintendent, than this order is not going to benefit doctors with a PG degree at all,” Dr Mukesh Mahla, Joint Secretary, Jaipur Association of Resident Doctors (JARD) told DNA. 

Rajasthan Medical College Teachers Association (RMTCA) is also in the wait and watch mode. When asked about the impact of the orders, Dr Dhananjay Agrawal, secretary of RMTCA said that we don’t know considering whom the decision has been taken by the government. 

“The order was issued at the time when there was a long holiday weekend so we could not communicate with our people. Probably, next week association will call executive meeting and a joint decision will be taken after discussing the order,” added Dr Agrawal.

In-service doctors posted at the hospitals other than the medical colleges associated hospitals, have a different view to share. They claim said that the increase in retirement age should not be compulsory. “Increase in retirement age must be coupled with the clause of Voluntary Retirement so only doctors who want to continue will stay in the service and left other with an option to get retired,” Dr Ajay Chaudhary, President, All Rajasthan In-Service Doctors Association said. 

At a time when state’s public healthcare system is struggling with the shortage of qualified doctors, resident doctors termed the increase in the retirement age as a blow for the new doctors and public healthcare system. “Claims in the support of the order that the decision has been taken to save PG seats and meet out the shortage of doctors in public sector  are totally misleading. Government should create new posts and vacancies should be filled through RPSC. We will hold meetings with RMTCA and other medical organisation and will decide the strategy accordingly,” said Dr Mahla.

The order

According to the order, age of retirement of the Medical Teachers of Rajasthan Medical Service has been raised to 65. It also states that “after attaining the age of 62, the services of such medical teachers shall be placed on Non Administrative positions only.”