The Telangana Teaching Government Doctors Association (TTGDA) has made a fresh appeal to the state government, urging the clearance of long-standing financial debts owed to teaching doctors serving in government medical colleges across the state. While welcoming the government's recent decision to release funds, the association insists that several critical financial issues remain unresolved, causing significant hardship.
Government's Rs 700 Crore Move Welcomed, But Concerns Linger
In a formal representation addressed to the principal secretaries of finance and health, the TTGDA acknowledged the government's initiative to disburse nearly Rs 700 crore per month to settle outstanding dues. However, the association was quick to point out that this measure alone does not address the full spectrum of pending financial obligations affecting the teaching fraternity. The core unresolved issues involve delays in multiple arrears and pension contributions.
Mounting Arrears: UGC PRC and DA Pending for Years
A major point of contention highlighted by the TTGDA is the protracted delay in paying UGC Pay Revision Commission (PRC) arrears. The association noted that a government order issued in 2024 approved the release of these arrears, applicable from 2016, in 36 instalments. Despite many doctors having submitted up to 21 bills for these payments, the ground reality is bleak. In most cases, only three to four instalments have been credited so far. The TTGDA has urgently requested the government to prioritise the release of the remaining arrears.
Compounding the problem are the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears related to four separate revisions since 2022. The association estimates that this backlog amounts to nearly Rs 2 lakh per doctor, a sum whose absence has placed substantial financial strain on the medical educators and their families.
Pension Credits and Fund Withdrawals Also Await Resolution
The financial woes extend beyond arrears. The TTGDA also brought attention to irregularities in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). For many of its members, only about 70% of the CPS credits have been deposited into their accounts. Contributions dating back to before 2020 and for the current year, 2024, are still pending, jeopardising their long-term financial security.
Furthermore, the association highlighted a large backlog of pending part-General Provident Fund (GPF) and CPS withdrawals. These pending withdrawals, often needed for personal or family emergencies, require swift resolution from the authorities. The TTGDA's appeal underscores the need for a comprehensive and expedited approach to clear all outstanding financial dues, ensuring the welfare of the doctors who form the backbone of the state's government medical education system.
