Haryana to follow Centre’s pattern on increasing retirement age of doctors

CHANDIGARH: The BJP government in Haryana has decided to follow the central government pattern of fixing an upper age limit for the administrative posts being held by doctors in health department.

The state government’s move is a part of the decision to enhance the retirement age of the Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) doctors.

Health Minister Anil Vij told HT that he has approved the proposal to increase the retirement age of Haryana government doctors on the lines of the central government’s decision. The issue, however, will attain finality after approval of the chief minister and subsequent amendment of service rules by the council of ministers.

Vij cited a July 19 office memorandum issued by the Union ministry of health and family welfare, by which it was decided that non-teaching specialists, public health specialists and general duty medical officer (GDMOs) sub- cadres of the central health services will hold administrative posts till the age of 62 years and thereafter their services would be placed in non-administrative positions.

The Union cabinet had earlier decided to increase the retirement age of central government doctors from 62 to 65.

“We will implement the central government’s decision in letter and spirit,’’ the health minister said.

Officials said the state government is facing a shortfall of HCMS doctors and the move to increase the age will help them tide over the problem.

“There are approximately 900 posts of doctors lying vacant in Haryana. Out of this, there are about over 400 vacancies, over 260 are absentees and over 100 have resigned,’’ said a health official.

Even since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to increase the retirement age of doctors to make up for their shortage, the state government has been keen to replicate the move.

“Initially, a proposal was prepared to increase the retirement age for doctors from 58 t0 65, irrespective of the fact whether they were holding an administrative post or were practicing in government medical institutions.

However, the additional chief secretary, health, differed on the proposal and wanted segregation of upper age limit for administrative and non-administrative posts.

The point is simple. We are facing a shortage of medical practitioners, not administrators,’’ said an official.

DOCS TO HOLD ADMINISTRATIVE POSTS TILL 62, CAN CONTINUE PRACTICE TILL 65