The healthcare system in Haryana is bracing for a major disruption as the state's government doctors have announced a two-day complete shutdown of services. The Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) Association has called for the strike on December 8 and 9, escalating their long-standing protest against the government's policy on promotions for Senior Medical Officers (SMOs).
Core of the Conflict: Promotion Policy vs. Direct Recruitment
At the heart of the dispute is the method of filling SMO positions. The current policy reserves 75% of SMO posts for promotions from Medical Officers, while the remaining 25% are filled through direct recruitment. The HCMS Association is demanding the complete discontinuation of direct recruitment, arguing that it severely blocks career progression for doctors who join the state service as Medical Officers.
The association contends that directly recruited SMOs gain an unfair advantage, leaving dedicated career medical officers behind. This, they claim, has led to widespread frustration and stagnation within the cadre.
Vacancies and Stalled Recruitment
The standoff has had a direct impact on healthcare staffing. Out of a total of 644 sanctioned SMO posts, 210 are currently vacant. Among these vacancies, 50 are meant to be filled via promotion, and the rest are earmarked for direct recruitment. However, due to strong opposition from the HCMS, the government has not moved forward with the direct recruitment process.
In a memorandum to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the association's General Secretary, Dr. Anil Yadav, highlighted the consequences. He stated that past direct recruitments have caused cadre stagnation, with over 95% of Medical Officers receiving only one promotion in their entire career—from Medical Officer to SMO. He also noted that many doctors have taken voluntary retirement due to these limited promotional avenues.
Broken Promises and a History of Protest
The association points to unfulfilled assurances from the government as a key reason for the renewed agitation. HCMS Association President Rajesh Khyalia recalled a two-day strike in July 2024, which was called off after an aide to the Chief Minister promised that no further direct recruitment for SMOs would occur, service rules would be amended, and all vacant posts would be filled through promotion.
"Yet, even after more than a year, this promise has not been fulfilled," Khyalia stated. He added that their demand for assured career progression, approved by the Chief Minister in 2024, also remains unmet.
Defending the existing system, a senior health department officer noted that a mix of promotion and direct recruitment is a model followed by several other departments. The officer acknowledged that the deadlock has increased vacancies and mentioned that a section within the health department supports continuing direct recruitment for SMOs.
Attempts at Resolution and the Path Forward
In an effort to break the impasse, Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi invited the HCMS Association for a meeting on the afternoon of Friday, December 5. The outcome of this meeting could be crucial in averting the planned shutdown.
Meanwhile, Director General of Health Services Dr. Manish Bansal explained that the department had sent a proposal to the government in 2024 to fill SMO posts through promotions as a one-time measure, but the proposal was rejected.
The doctors' body emphasizes that no other state in the country has direct recruitment at the SMO level, citing a 2021 order from the then-state health minister that categorically called for stopping the practice. With health services set to halt for 48 hours, all eyes are on the state administration to find a solution that addresses the legitimate career concerns of its medical officers while ensuring the stability of the public health system.
