Irked over non-payment of salaries, doctors and staff members of the hospital are on an indefinite agitation since October 5. The emergency services are, however, operating smoothly. They have not been paid since June.

 

"Being a COVID Hospital, doctors of the Hospital are risking their lives at workplace in this epidemic but are not being paid and it has become paid the necessary emoluments difficult for them to meet their daily expenditures and to support their families," FORD wrote in the letter on Tuesday undersigned by President Shivaji Dev Barman.

 

It added, "These Frontline warriors have not received their salaries since the last 3.5 months which is totally demotivating them. Doctors of Hindu Rao Hospital have regularly faced delay in receiving salaries or stipends and this is a long-standing issue."

 

The association rued that despite the directions of Delhi High Court as well as the Supreme Court for timely disbursement of salaries, nothing has been done. "We would hereby urge you to kindly intervene and to take up the issue with the concerned authorities so that necessary measures are taken for addressing the same on an urgent basis."

 

Last week, the Resident Doctor Association of the hospital wrote to the administration stating, "The letter written by the Resident Doctor Association to the hospital administration stated, "We apologise to announce that we are forced to go for an indefinite agitation w.e.f. October 5, 2020 considering strictly 'No pay, No work, while operating the emergency services smoothly."

 

They added, "The chronic sufferings of the staff have been too agonizing and intractable where it is distressing to one's mental and physical well-being, We strongly plea to you for releasing 3 months' pay and giving us an immediate permanent solution. We also demand a formal notice regarding the same."