Residents doctors at GMC Srinagar have faced prolonged salary delays and unresolved arrears, prompting impending protests as repeated appeals to officials have yielded little results.
According to a press statement issued to The Kashmiriyat, Resident Doctors Association GMC Srinagar has denounced the delay in disbursement of salaries for senior residents and stipends for Postgraduate residents.
“Over the past year, resident doctors at GMC Srinagar have encountered prolonged delays exceeding five months in salary payments,” the senior residents said.
According to the statement, Despite diligent efforts to seek clarification on these delays, the administration attributes them to a purported shortage of funds stemming from the institution’s increased seat capacity. It is evident that proper allocation of resources should have been a priority under such circumstances
“The resulting financial strain has prompted residents, both local and non-local, to contemplate an institution-wide protest, accompanied by a three-day ultimatum for salary disbursement,” read the press release.
The collective frustration among residents is palpable; notwithstanding their considerable work hours, they are subjected to delayed compensation for their rightful duties and a sense of marginalization, the doctors said.
“Repeated appeals to the PMC and CAO have yielded little beyond false assurances and promises.”
Additionally, outstanding arrears from the fiscal year 2023 remain unresolved for resident doctors, exacerbating the situation further.
Taking into consideration the escalating discontent and demoralization among the residents, a protest appears increasingly likely should salary disbursement fail to occur within the next three days. “The potential disruption to regular duties by the residents staying back home could result in significant hardships to the institution and the patients in it’s care,” the Resident Doctors warned.