KGMCTA Seeks Immediate Release of Dues Pending Since 2016
The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA) has renewed its demand for the release of salary arrears pending from January 2016 to September 2020, citing remarks made by former Kerala Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal regarding the availability of a Rs 6,000 crore treasury balance during his tenure.
The association has urged the state government to immediately clear the long-pending dues owed to medical college doctors, arguing that the financial justification previously cited for withholding the payments now appears questionable.
Doctors Question Why Their Arrears Were Withheld
In a statement, KGMCTA drew attention to Balagopal’s remarks that the state treasury had a balance of Rs 6,000 crore when he left office. The association said that if sufficient funds were available, it raises serious concerns over why medical college doctors alone were denied their legitimate salary arrears while similar benefits were extended to other government employees.
According to the association, all other categories of government staff received their salary arrears in full, whereas medical college doctors were subjected to a discriminatory approach and deprived of benefits they were legally entitled to receive.
Association Recalls Government Assurances During Strike
KGMCTA State General Secretary Rosenara Beegum stated in a press release that medical college doctors were compelled to launch protests despite their reluctance to disrupt patient services.
The association noted that doctors had suspended outpatient department (OPD) services and surgeries as part of a prolonged agitation. However, the strike was called off after the government reportedly assured them that the pending salary arrears would be settled.
KGMCTA alleged that the assurances were ultimately not honoured, with the then Finance Minister citing the state’s financial constraints at the last moment as the reason for delaying the payments.
Approved File Remained Pending Before Election Code
The association further claimed that a proposal to release the salary arrears had already received approvals from the Finance, Health and Law Departments before the election code of conduct came into effect. Despite this, the final decision was allegedly not taken by the then Finance Minister.
KGMCTA argued that under such circumstances, it is incorrect to claim that the previous government lacked the financial resources necessary to clear the dues.
Doctors Express Disappointment Over Unfulfilled Promises
The association said that repeated assurances had been given to medical college doctors that the arrears would be paid in full. However, the promised payments never materialised, leaving thousands of doctors disappointed despite years of service in the public healthcare system.
According to KGMCTA, the prolonged delay has caused frustration among medical educators and healthcare professionals who continued to serve the state despite the pending dues.
KGMCTA Highlights Doctors’ Role During Nipah and COVID-19 Crises
The association also highlighted the contributions of medical college doctors during major public health emergencies, including the Nipah outbreaks and the COVID-19 pandemic.
KGMCTA stated that doctors worked tirelessly under challenging conditions, often risking their own lives while ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services. The association noted that while several countries and Indian states provided additional benefits and incentives to healthcare workers during the pandemic, Kerala’s medical college doctors were allegedly denied even the benefits already due to them.
Government Urged to End Long-Standing Injustice
KGMCTA pointed out that the total amount required to settle the pending arrears is approximately Rs 410 crore, significantly lower than the reported treasury balance of Rs 6,000 crore. The association questioned why the dues of medical college teachers and doctors remained unpaid despite the availability of funds.
The association expressed hope that the state government would intervene immediately and resolve what it described as a long-standing injustice faced by medical college doctors across Kerala.
