Cops foil documents bid to lay siege to DME's office

Hyderabad: Doctors working in different teaching hospitals in twin cities tried to lay siege to office of Director of Medical Education (DME) in Koti on Tuesday afternoon.

The protest was held against the proposal to increase retirement age of teaching faculty in government medical colleges by seven years (from existing 58 to 65 years). However, police thwarted their attempts which led to a minor altercation.

Large number of police was deployed in DME office premises as a precautionary

measure. Doctors' affiliated to Telangana Government Doctors Association (TGDA) held a meeting in the afternoon where it was decided to strongly oppose the government's proposal, which they felt was taken unilaterally without proper consultations.

Doctors were very critical of Director of Medical Education, whom they alleged of masterminding the age hike proposal just to save himself as he was slated to retire this month end.

"No recruitments were done during DME's period and also CAS (Career Advancement Scheme) was also not implemented. As a result, there are vacancies in Assistant Professor and Professor posts.

What is the need to implement age hike decision in haste through Ordinance while it has to be approved by Cabinet and debated in Assembly," one of the doctors said.

The doctor's fraternity wanted the government to constitute a committee to scientifically examine the proposal besides taking views of all stakeholders and then take a decision acceptable to all.

They also wanted the government to sack DME for his failure to hold recruitments and take up regular promotions.

Responding to their allegations, DME Dr K Ramesh Reddy said he took up promotions, twice in January 2018 and June 2018, when all eligible faculties were given Associate and Professor postings.

DME also refuted to other allegation that no recruitments were done during his tenure. He explained that recruitments were done through in-service quota and through TSPSC (479 Assistant Professor posts), that was in final stages.

On the other hand, Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA) took up a one-day protest at Dharna Chowk, Indira Park against age hike proposal.

Doctors wanted the government to take up timely recruitments to overcome teaching faculty shortage woes in various colleges.