Chennai: Government doctors in Tamil Nadu have strongly objected to the recent statement by the Director of Medical Education (DME) regarding the delay in implementing Government Order (GO) 354. The controversy revolves around claims that financial compensation of ₹1 crore and a government job were provided to the family of late Dr. Lakshmi Narasimhan, who passed away due to a heart attack while in service.
Doctors Deny DME’s Claims
The Government All Doctors Association (GADA) has refuted these claims, asserting that the compensation has not been disbursed, nor has any government job been offered to Dr. Narasimhan’s family. The association called DME’s statement “false and misleading” and demanded a public retraction.
In a statement, Dr. C Sundaresan, President of GADA, said:
“The family of Dr. Lakshmi Narasimhan never requested financial compensation or a government job. It is highly inappropriate for the DME to make such statements without proper verification, creating unnecessary confusion and distress.”
Conflict Over GO 354 Implementation
GO 354, introduced by late CM Karunanidhi in 2009, was aimed at improving the welfare of government doctors. However, its implementation has faced delays. DME stated that the delay was due to differences among doctors’ associations, a claim strongly denied by GADA and other medical groups.
Doctors’ associations clarified that:
- All government doctors’ associations had jointly submitted a representation requesting a review of GO 354.
- While GO 293 was modified, GO 354 remains unimplemented, particularly in terms of pay band compression for in-service medical officers.
Demands for Immediate Action
Dr. S Perumal Pillai, President of the Legal Coordination Committee for Government Doctors, criticized DME’s remarks, stating:
“It is shocking to hear that the government offered a job to Dr. Narasimhan’s family, which was allegedly declined. No such offer was ever made. Furthermore, CM MK Stalin had promised to implement GO 354 when he was the Leader of the Opposition.”
GADA also stated that DME’s remarks have caused unnecessary mental distress to Dr. Narasimhan’s family and demanded:
- Immediate disbursement of ₹1 crore compensation to his family.
- A government job for his legal heir.
- A public statement clarifying which doctors’ association opposed the pay band revision.
Government doctors continue to urge authorities to fulfill their long-standing demands and ensure justice for Dr. Narasimhan’s family.
