Health Services in Punjab take a hit
The government doctors in Punjab have gone on a three-day strike from Monday to protest against the alleged silence of the Punjab government over their issue of Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA), halting medical services in the State.
Health services such as Out Patient Department (OPD) and elective services remained suspended due to the strike in government hospitals, said Dr Gagandeep Singh, President of Punjab Civil Medical Services Association. 
Other emergency services such as Covid-related and post-mortem services continued, according to the protesting doctors.
Punjab’s sixth pay commission has de-linked non-practising allowance from the basic pay and has recommended a reduction in the NPA from 25% to 20%, causing the strike of government doctors.
This is, however, not the first time government doctors are striking against the NPA issue. The government doctors had already held three strikes in the State before over the same issue.
They have also threatened to go on an indefinite strike from July 19 if their issues were not resolved.
The strike call was given by the Joint Punjab Government Doctors Coordination Committee (JGDCC), which is supported by the Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association, Rural Medical Officers Association, Punjab Dental Medical Officers Association as well as by the Punjab Ayurveda Officers Association. The Committee also has members from the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association.
