Protest Over Pending Pay Revision and Career Progression Demands
Chennai: The Federation of Government Doctors Associations (FOGDA), representing nearly 15,000 government doctors in Tamil Nadu, has announced that it will begin an indefinite hunger strike from March 5, 2026. The federation cited the State government’s continued inaction on long-pending demands related to pay revision and career advancement.
Four Key Demands Raised by Doctors
FOGDA has been pressing for the implementation of G.O. 354, pending since 2017, to compress the existing Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme and enable early placement in Pay Band-4 (PB4) for government doctors. Other demands include an allocation of Rs 3,000 for Primary Health Centre (PHC) doctors, reinstatement of 1,500 posts lost due to G.O.4(D)2 H&FW dated February 15, 2019, and provision of stand-alone postgraduate (PG) increments.
Repeated Representations to Government
The association stated that it had held multiple meetings with the Health and Family Welfare Minister and senior officials, including the Health Secretary, to raise these concerns. According to FOGDA, representations were also made to draw the attention of the Chief Minister, but no concrete steps have followed.
DACP Scheme Remains Unresolved
In 2024, the federation renewed its demand for implementation of G.O. Ms. No. 354 issued on October 23, 2009, concerning the DACP scheme. It sought a reduction in the duration for time-bound promotions and pay progression, which currently require 8, 15, 17 and 20 years of service. FOGDA said the issue has remained unresolved since 2017.
Objections to 2021 Government Order
FOGDA also demanded amendments to G.O.(Ms) No. 293 dated June 18, 2021. It sought removal of a clause stating that there was “no justification for the advancement of Dynamic Assured Career Progression,” and called for eliminating the classification of specialities as “scarce” and “non-scarce,” as well as “difficult” and “non-difficult” categories for MBBS doctors. The federation further requested that increment components be separated into a distinct sub-clause.
Committee Formed but No Outcome
In 2024, the State government constituted a committee comprising the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, the Director of Medical Education and Research, and the Director of Medical and Rural Health Services to examine doctors’ demands. Although the committee was tasked with submitting a comprehensive report, FOGDA said that its core demands remain unaddressed.
Escalation of Protests
The association noted that negotiations held on January 19, 2026, with Finance Department officials resulted in assurances of a resolution, but no action followed. In response, FOGDA organised a non-cooperation movement, a 48-hour hunger strike and a march to submit a petition at the Kalaignar Statue in Chennai.
Fast-Unto-Death from March 5
With no settlement in sight, the federation’s Executive Committee has decided to begin an indefinite fast-unto-death from March 5, 2026, in Chennai. The protest will be led by Dr P. Balakrishnan, Dr P. Saminathan, Dr M. Akilan and Dr C. Sundaresan, as doctors intensify pressure on the government to address their long-standing grievances.
