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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Public can obtain e-pass online to watch Independence Day celebrations in Bengaluru: BBMP
Bengaluru, Aug 13 (PTI): For the first time, the general public can obtain e-pass online to watch the 79th Independence Day celebrations, said Maheshwara Rao, Chief Commissioner, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Wednesday.
Rao, along with the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru, Seemanth Kumar Singh, was briefing the media here about how Bengaluru is preparing for the state-level ceremony to be held on August 15 at Field Marshal Manik Shah Parade Ground, Cubbon Road, Bengaluru.
“Earlier invitations were distributed by government officials to special invitees and to those involved in the ceremony. Now, people can obtain an e-pass from the Seva Sindhu website (www.sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in),” added the commissioner.
He said a live telecast of the programme is also available on Doordarshan.
According to him, the viewing gallery for the public at the venue has been expanded to allow more people to watch the programme in person.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will hoist the Indian flag, following which he will inspect the parade in an open jeep and receive the guard of honour.
Siddaramaiah will also deliver an Independence Day message.
On ground security checks are already underway, said the Police Commissioner.
“Police have been deployed on guard duty at the ground for the last 15 days. They are also checking all the hotels, lodges and rest houses for any suspicious activities,” said Singh.
CCTV cameras and baggage scanners, Door Frame Metal Detector and Hand-Held Metal Detector have been installed around the ground to closely monitor all the events, he added.
He also appealed to those with green passes (e-passes) to arrive at Gate no. 05 from the Manipal Centre side via Cubbon Road.
He urged people not to carry any unnecessary luggage or items with them. Even essential items like mobile phones, water bottles, helmets, cameras, radios and umbrellas are best left behind to facilitate quick entry into the venue, he added.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru Traffic Police has appealed to the public to use public transport and metro service as much as possible, due to the lack of space for parking vehicles at Manik Shah Parade Ground and nearby areas.
Parking will not be allowed at Central Street (from Anil Kumble Circle to Shivajinagar Bus Stand), Cubbon Road (from CTO Circle to K R Road and Cubbon Road Junction) and MG Road, from Anil Kumble Circle to Trinity Circle), added a Traffic Police advisory issued on Wednesday.
