Karnataka Government requests striking govt doctors to withdraw stir; agrees to fulfill demands
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Tuesday requested the government doctors to withdraw their agitation over salary hike as it has conceded to their demand, "despite the grim economic conditions."
However, the Karnataka Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) said they would take a call on withdrawing their agitation after consulting their district units and holding a meeting with the government once again on Friday.
Until then, as per their plan, they will boycott meetings and not share COVID19 data, KGMOA said.
With medical officers refusing to share COVID-19 reports with the government, there was under reporting of cases in some districts on Tuesday, like- Bagalkote reporting zero cases, Udupi 1 and lesser than usual in others, official sources said.
Though the tests and treatment to those infected are going on, the data was not being shared, they said, adding that "we need to see what happens tomorrow."
Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar, terming the talks with KGMOA office-bearers as "fruitful", said the government has decided to give in to the demand "to uplift the hard working doctors."
"The doctors have been working hard day in and out.. in the light of this, the Chief Minister has given the nod to all the proposals by the Health Department in the past six months and this too will be fulfilled," he said.
The demand will be addressed and the Finance department has been briefed in this regard, Sudhakar was quoted as saying by his office in a release.
"The revision in salaries will be made based on six-year, 13-year, and 20-year promotions for the doctors and details on the same will be obtained from the medical officers," he said, adding that even though this was a burden on the government, it would be addressed on a priority basis.
Along with Sudhakar, Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan and Health Minister B Sriramulu were part of the meeting that was attended by senior health department officials.
Over 4,900 government doctors working in various health facilities run by the Health and Family Welfare Department are on strike, demanding pay parity with their counterparts in the Medical Education Department or pay revision as per the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) scale.
They had decided not to share COVID data online or offline, and to boycott the meetings.
KGMOA President Dr Srinivas G A Tuesday said the government had stated it would fulfil their demands.
"We will discuss with office bearers of all our district units tomorrow, and on Friday will hold a meeting with Ministers once again and announce our decision."
He said their agitation would continue till Friday.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
