Haryana government doctors will observe a pen-down strike on November 27, keeping OPD services closed from 9 am to 11 am to press for their demands. The Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA) decided this during an online state executive meeting on Monday evening.
Dr Rajesh Khyalia, HCMSA state president, said all OPD services, except emergency, labour room, and operations, will stop during the strike. Doctors are protesting the government’s plan for direct recruitment of Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) and the Finance Department’s delay in issuing the modified Assured Career Progression (ACP) structure. The CM has already approved the revised ACP.
“No direct recruitment of SMOs has occurred since 2012. On June 3, 2021, then Health Minister Anil Vij had ordered that existing doctors get promotion opportunities instead of direct recruitment. Now, the government plans to recruit SMOs directly,” Dr Khyalia added.
Dr Deepak Goyal, HCMSA state treasurer, said the revised ACP will raise pay from Rs 8,700 to Rs 9,500, matching medical college doctors’ salaries. The association has met the Director General of Health Services, but officials have not acted yet. Doctors have requested meetings with the CM and Health Minister to resolve these issues.
The strike highlights growing tensions between Haryana doctors and the government over career progression and pay equity.
