SRINAGAR — The Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network (IMA JDN) J&K has urged the Health and Medical Education Department and concerned Government Medical Colleges to immediately release salaries and allowances withheld from resident doctors who availed maternity leave.
The doctors’ body said it has been pursuing the issue with senior authorities and has now sought intervention from Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo to ensure that eligible resident doctors are not subjected to financial hardship for exercising their maternity leave entitlement.
“We were in continuous follow-up with the higher authorities regarding this matter. Despite our repeated efforts, concerns regarding the non-payment of salaries to resident doctors on maternity leave continued. The High Court’s order has now clearly addressed the issue,” said Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, Co-Convenor, IMA JDN J&K.
Dr Khan questioned why some Government Medical Colleges in Jammu and Kashmir were still withholding or delaying salaries of resident doctors who had availed maternity leave, despite judicial directions on the matter.
IMA JDN J&K Convenor Dr Rakesh Koul and General Secretary Dr Burhan Ali also backed the demand, urging authorities to implement the directions and ensure resident doctors are not subjected to financial hardship or professional disadvantage for availing maternity leave.
The organisation called for a uniform policy across all Government Medical Colleges in Jammu and Kashmir, saying eligible doctors should receive their pending salary and allowances without further delay.
“Maternity leave is a legitimate entitlement. Resident doctors should not be made to suffer financially for exercising this right,” the association said.
Background: High Court judgment
The issue relates to a judgment of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in the case of Dr Sonakshi Gupta and others, in which the court set aside the denial of pay and allowances to resident doctors during maternity leave. The court observed that treating doctors as being “out of assignment” during maternity leave and withholding their financial benefits amounted to penalising them for motherhood.
IMA JDN J&K has urged authorities to act on the judgment and ensure its directions are implemented in letter and spirit.
“Court orders must be implemented. Justice cannot remain on paper,” Dr Khan said.
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