Superannuation matter is ‘still under consideration’

Nagaland CS appeals NIDA to call off proposed agitation

Kohima, April 10 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Secretary J Alam said that the Nagaland In-service Doctors’ Association’s (NIDA) demand for increasing the superannuation age of doctors is “still under consideration.”

“The Cabinet in its last meeting on April 7 had deferred the matter for further consultation and that the matter is not closed, but still under consideration,” he said in a press release on Saturday. He further explained that the Government has been actively considering the matter since it was reopened in December 2020, and the matter has been taken up twice by the Cabinet, besides consultations with student bodies through the Cabinet sub-committee headed by the Deputy Chief Minister.

The release also informed that the Chief Secretary, along with senior government officials held a meeting with NIDA representatives with regard to the proposed mass casual leave from April 12 and subsequent cessation of routine works.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary impressed upon the office bearers of NIDA that like the rest of the country, Nagaland is under the threat of a second wave of the COVID pandemic and that the vaccination drive needs to be intensified and testing, tracking and treatment of COVID cases have to be continued without any disruption.

“Since the Disaster Management Act, 2005 is still in force and the health services are an essential service under the Nagaland Essential Services (Maintenance Act, 1978) such disruptive action will be illegal,” the release stated, while adding that the disruption in health services would be extremely detrimental for the general public at this point of time. 
He further assured the officials and members of NIDA that all efforts would be made so that the consultation process is fast tracked; further inviting office bearers to be part of the consultations and joint reviews on a fortnightly basis. 

Keeping in view the prevailing situation and the assurance given, the Chief Secretary appealed NIDA to withdraw its proposed agitation and instead, join hands with the Government to find an early solution.