Odisha Government Approves Substantial Salary Increase for Contractual AYUSH Doctors
In a significant move to bolster healthcare services, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday sanctioned a major salary revision for contractual AYUSH doctors employed under the National Health Mission (NHM) in the state. This decision aims to acknowledge their critical role in enhancing healthcare delivery and uplift the morale of frontline medical practitioners.
Revised Pay Structure Based on Service Tenure
The monthly remuneration for these doctors has been substantially increased, with the hikes directly linked to their length of service. Previously set at a base of Rs 20,000 per month, the new pay scale introduces tiered increments to reward experience and dedication.
- Doctors with less than 5 years of service will receive an additional Rs 20,000 monthly, elevating their minimum salary to Rs 56,948 per month.
- Those having completed 5 to 10 years are granted a monthly increase of Rs 25,000, raising their earnings to Rs 74,467.
- For AYUSH doctors with 10 to 15 years of service, the monthly hike is set at Rs 30,000, resulting in a salary of Rs 80,467.
- Doctors serving for more than 15 years will benefit from the highest increment of Rs 40,000 per month, bringing their revised monthly salary to Rs 91,467.
Financial Implications and Government Statement
According to official data, Odisha currently employs 2,912 AYUSH doctors under the NHM framework. The implementation of this revised pay structure is projected to incur an additional annual expenditure of approximately Rs 1 crore for the state government. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) formally announced this decision through a statement issued on Tuesday.
CM's Vision and Doctor Reactions
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized that this initiative is designed to encourage AYUSH professionals and fortify service delivery across the state. He expressed confidence that the enhanced compensation will lead to further improvements in AYUSH healthcare services, addressing long-standing demands from the medical community.
The announcement has been met with widespread approval among AYUSH doctors stationed throughout Odisha. "We were always neglected compared to general doctors. Our contribution is being appreciated now," remarked Jagan Mohapatra, an AYUSH doctor, reflecting the sentiment of many colleagues who have advocated for such a hike for an extended period.
This strategic pay revision not only recognizes the invaluable efforts of AYUSH practitioners but also aligns with broader goals to strengthen India's traditional and alternative medicine sectors within the public health infrastructure.
