Kolkata Doctors Stage Protests Over Alleged Nepotism in Posting Order
Protests by multiple doctor organizations intensified in Kolkata on Friday, following the health department's release of a controversial posting order for 930 senior resident doctors. The organizations are demanding an immediate rollback of the order, labeling it as unethical, undemocratic, and a potential catalyst for nepotism and corruption within the medical system.
Bypassing Merit-Based Counseling Sparks Outrage
Traditionally, post-graduate trainee doctors are required to serve a three-year bond service as senior residents in government health facilities after completing their courses. Historically, these postings were allocated through a transparent, merit-based counseling process. However, the new order issued on Thursday has bypassed this established procedure entirely.
Under previous norms, senior residents were typically posted in teaching hospitals during their first year. The latest directive, however, shows a disparate allocation: some doctors have been assigned to medical colleges, while others have been placed in district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, or superspeciality facilities without clear rationale.
Allegations of Clandestine Actions and Favoritism
Orthopaedics professor Utpal Bandyopadhyay, who serves as the state general secretary of the Association of Health Service Doctors, strongly criticized the health department's actions. "By bypassing the counseling, the department acted in a clandestine manner," he stated. "This was an attempt to hide the criteria for selection and to facilitate nepotism. While favored candidates were rewarded with postings in Kolkata's medical colleges, others were dumped in district health centers."
The association has formally written to the health secretary, demanding the cancellation of the Thursday order and the immediate conduct of transparent counseling to ensure fairness and meritocracy in the posting process.
Impact on Career Progression and Higher Education
Physician Biplab Chandra, general secretary of the Medical Service Centre, highlighted another critical concern. "Moreover, posting in a medical college for at least one year is required to be eligible to become a faculty member as per the National Commission," he explained. "We will be organizing movements against this change in the standard operating procedure for postings, as it unfairly disadvantages many doctors."
On Friday, a group of senior residents, including anaesthesiologist Aniket Mahata, submitted a memorandum to the director of medical education at Swasthya Bhawan. Mahata pointed out an additional grievance: "In addition, a doctor's right to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for pursuing higher education was revoked under the new rules," further restricting career advancement opportunities.
Growing Movement and Calls for Transparency
The protests underscore a deepening rift between the medical community and the health department over administrative practices. Doctors argue that the lack of transparency in the posting process not only undermines merit but also jeopardizes the quality of healthcare services in various facilities.
As the movement gains momentum, medical associations are planning further actions to pressure the authorities into revisiting the order. The core demand remains clear: a return to a merit-based, counseling-driven system that upholds ethical standards and democratic principles in medical postings.
