State Government is likely enhance the retirement age of doctors working in Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) from 62 to 65 years.
Reliable sources told news agency CNS that the decision in this regard will be taken by the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who is also chairperson of SKIMS Governing Body in a meeting that is scheduled to be held on Wednesday (Oct 26).
A senior doctor at SKIMS wishing anonymity said that the decision is being taken just to give breather to three ‘influential’ doctors who were appointed members of the SKIMS Governing Body in violation of the constitution.
“Three doctors who were appointed members of the SKIMS Governing Body in violation of the constitution, are retiring within few months but
to give them more time, Government has decided to enhance the retirement age of SKIMS doctors from 62 to 65 which is sheer injustice with 60 thousand casual laborers and lakhs of unemployed youth.”
He asked government to prioritize the regularization of causal employees instead of enhancing the retirement age of SKIMS doctors.
Sources revealed that sorry state of affairs in SKIMS can be gauged from the fact that in violation of the constitution, three influential doctors working at SKIMS were appointed members of the SKIMS Governing Body two years ago. According to the constitution, doctors working at SKIMS can’t be the members of Governing Body.
“All of them are in-service but ironically they were appointed members despite resentment from the medicos,” they added.
Sources revealed that on the behest of a US based physician, who is close relative of a senior PDP functionary, government is planning to enhance the retirement age of SKIMS doctors.