Government Reinstates Allowance for Super-Specialists
The Himachal Pradesh government has restored the non-practicing allowance (NPA) for super-specialist faculty members serving under the Department of Medical Education and Research. The decision was formalized through a notification issued on Wednesday, reversing a previous withdrawal of the benefit.
All super-specialist faculty members holding recognized super-specialty qualifications such as DM, MCh, or DrNB are now eligible for the allowance. The restored NPA will be provided at the rates and terms that were in place before the Finance Department’s notification dated May 24, 2023, which had discontinued the benefit.
Immediate Effect and Future Validity
The restoration takes effect immediately and will remain in force until further orders, according to the notification. This move is expected to benefit a significant number of super-specialist doctors in the state’s medical education institutions.
The decision comes after representations from faculty members and medical associations highlighting the importance of NPA in retaining specialist doctors in academic roles. The allowance compensates for the loss of private practice income and encourages super-specialists to focus on teaching and research.
Background of the Withdrawal
The Finance Department had withdrawn the NPA in May 2023, citing financial constraints and the need to rationalize allowances. However, the latest order indicates a policy shift, likely influenced by concerns over faculty retention and the quality of medical education.
According to a senior official from the Department of Medical Education, the restoration aims to ensure that super-specialist faculty remain motivated and continue to contribute to the state’s healthcare training infrastructure.
