In a significant development, the Telangana Teaching Govt Doctors Association (TTGDA) has put forth a series of demands to the state government, seeking parity and fairness in service conditions for teaching faculty across government medical colleges. The demands, raised on Saturday, center around earned leave benefits, transfer policies, and pay scales.
Core Demand: Earned Leave Encashment for All
The association's primary demand is the extension of earned leave (EL) encashment benefits to all teaching faculty in government medical colleges. This call for parity comes in the wake of a recent state government order that approved annual EL encashment for employees of the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS).
Following this order, NIMS staff, who draw salaries on par with AIIMS pay scales, can now surrender their unused earned leaves for cash benefits under the TG Leave Rules, 1933. This aligns their leave entitlements with the norms applicable to other Telangana state government employees. The TTGDA argues that this benefit should not be limited to NIMS alone but must be uniformly extended to teaching doctors in all state-run medical colleges.
Dissatisfaction with Transfers and Call for Policy Reform
Alongside the leave encashment issue, the teaching doctors expressed strong discontent with the current transfer process. The association members demanded the formulation of a special transfer policy and urged the immediate conduct of transfers.
They highlighted grievances from a recent transfer counselling session, where several faculty members with over nine years of service reportedly faced unfair treatment. The TTGDA believes a transparent and equitable policy is urgently needed to address such inconsistencies and ensure fair career progression for all teaching medical professionals.
Push for Separate Pay Scales and Allowances
Moving beyond leave and transfers, the association also raised critical concerns regarding remuneration. The teaching doctors have called for the implementation of separate pay scales, distinct from the existing University Grants Commission (UGC) structure.
They contend that the UGC pay scales do not fully align with state service rules and fail to provide the complete set of benefits they are entitled to. Furthermore, the TTGDA urged the government to introduce a peripheral medical college allowance for all colleges located outside Hyderabad.
They pointed out that the current tribal-area grading system excludes remote and challenging locations such as Asifabad and Bhupalpally, leaving faculty there without additional financial recognition for their service in these areas.
Looking Ahead
The collective demands of the TTGDA underscore a growing push for standardized and improved service conditions for medical educators in Telangana. By seeking parity with NIMS, a fair transfer mechanism, and revised pay structures, the association aims to address long-standing issues that impact morale and retention. The state government's response to these demands will be closely watched by the medical teaching community across the region.
