Maha raises non-practicing allowance of state doctors

The state Cabinet approved the proposal providing 35 per cent, raised by 10 per cent, of basic pay as NPA for 8,991 doctors employed in hospitals and primary health centres under the public health department with retrospective effect from April 1, 2012.

Earlier, 3,979 doctors from the non-clinical field used to get NPA of 25 per cent for which the state government incurred an expenditure of Rs 39 crore.

"With 35 per cent NPA, the burden would now be Rs 54 crore. Similarly, 5,012 doctors from the clinical field were not availing the NPA. With them getting 35 per cent of their basic pay as per the Sixth pay commission, the total number of doctors getting the NPA of 35 per cent is 8,991," officials in the health department said.

The total government expenditure towards the measure would be Rs 85 crore, they added.

The doctors would now not be permitted to practice privately, they said.

Rajesh Gaikwad, president of Maharashtra Association of Gazetted Medical officers (MAGMO) welcomed the decision, saying around 10,000 doctors would benefit from the move.

As per the decision, professors at Ayurveda, dental and medical colleges will also be entitled to get 35 per cent NPA from July 1. Their counterparts in upcoming colleges at Nanded, Dhule, Yavatmal, Ambejogai, Alibag, Nandurbar and Satara will get 50 per cent NPA.

The decision will be applicable to professors whose income is less than Rs 85,000 per month.

There are 2,813 such professors and the state exchequer will have to bear an additional burden of Rs 20 crore for this.