Karnataka Gov. seeks centre's approval to boost remuneration for healthcare staff
Bengaluru: In a move to address the shortage of healthcare staff in public health facilities across Karnataka, the Chief Secretary to the Karnataka Government has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare seeking approval to enhance remuneration for healthcare personnel under the National Health Mission (NHM).
In a letter addressed to Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary (Health), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, Chief Secretary to the government of Karnataka, underscored the urgent need for competitive pay scales to attract and retain healthcare professionals in difficult locations.
Highlighting the current challenges faced by Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and Taluk Hospitals due to the lack of essential staff, Dr. Rajneesh emphasized the public outcry over shortage in healthcare services.
Meanwhile in a proposal, submitted by Dr. Naveen Bhat, Mission Director, National Health Mission, Karnataka to Aradhana Patnaik Secretary and Director National Health Mission, Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry, outlines a revised salary structure for various categories of healthcare workers, including nurses, MBBS doctors, clinical specialists, and super specialists.
The revision aims to fulfill the gap owing to stagnant remuneration over the past seven years, which has led to high attrition rates and difficulty in staffing remote areas.
The new salary framework proposes significant increases, with staff nurses earning up to ₹22,000, MBBS doctors up to ₹95,000, clinical specialists up to ₹2,00,000, and super specialists up to ₹2,50,000. Additionally, an annual increment of 5% has been proposed to ensure long-term retention.
According to the letter, for the fiscal year 2024-25, the revised remuneration plan requires a budget of ₹1,739.83 lakhs, bringing the total budget to ₹6,852.55 lakhs.
Additionally, the Karnataka government has assured that the plan will be implemented within the approved NHM budget, with supplementary proposals submitted if necessary.
Through the revised amount of salary, the state government aims to attract qualified professionals, retain existing employees and improve existing healthcare facilities.
Dr. Rajneesh has urged immediate intervention of the central government in this regard to prevent further decline in health care s rvices in the state.
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Young woman from MP who shot to fame during Kumbh found to be minor, case registered against husband
Khargone (MP) (PTI): The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes on Friday confirmed that a young woman from Madhya Pradesh who became famous due to her viral videos during the 2025 Maha Kumbh has been found to be a minor after an inquiry.
Citing the findings of an inquiry panel set up by the commission, local BJP leaders alleged that her interfaith marriage in Kerala last month was a case of "love Jihad", and sought legal action.
While the panel had submitted its report in March, ST commission chairman Antar Singh Arya confirmed its findings to the PTI on Friday.
A case for alleged kidnapping and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has already been registered against her husband, a Muslim man, at Maheshwar on the basis of the inquiry findings, police said.
The girl gained national fame after her videos while selling garlands and rudraksha at the Maha Kumbh went viral on social media and also earned her a role in a film.
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes set up an inquiry panel after receiving a complaint on March 17 from Pratham Dubey, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, that she was a minor and was being exploited.
Maheshwar BJP MLA Rajkumar Mev and BJP mandal president Vikram Patel, armed with documents, told reporters on Friday that her marriage in Kerala was a case of "love Jihad" and she should be brought back home.
'Love jihad' is a term used by right-wing groups to allege a conspiracy by Muslim men to lure Hindu women into marriage to convert them to Islam.
Police said an investigation is underway, and further action would be taken accordingly.
The girl, who belongs to the nomadic Pardhi community, got married at a temple in Kerala in March. The interfaith marriage drew angry reactions from rightwing Hindu groups.
Her family members and film director Sanoj Mishra -- who had offered her a film role after she became famous -- too alleged that it was 'love Jihad'.
As per the inquiry conducted by the ST commission, records at the Maheshwar government hospital showed the woman's date of birth as December 30, 2009 which meant she was 16 years and two months old at the time of marriage, said Dubey, the complainant.
On a complaint filed by her father, police registered a case against the girl's husband at Maheshwar police station on March 25 for alleged kidnapping and under the POCSO Act and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Police sources said that a separate case was also registered on March 24 under section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (taking a minor from lawful custody of guardian without their consent) based on the the commission's findings.
