Kannur Govt Medical College fails to fill vacancies; confusion prevails over placement

Kannur: Though Pariyaram Cooperative Medical College was transformed into Kannur Government Medical College two years ago, only 11 of the employees are government staff there. There are 1850 employees including 250 doctors at the medical college. 1546 vacancies were created in different sections but no placement was completed. All staff are continuing in the same wage structure as it was in cooperative medical college.

The staff including doctors alleged that the appointments are delayed and benefits denied even when the hospital is known for its efficiency in Covid treatment. The medical college was taken over by the government and its liabilities were settled in addition to providing treatment for free.

After the medical college was taken over on March 2, 2019, a principal under the Directorate of Medical Education took charge on March 26, 2019. Following this, 11 staff including senior superintendent and administrative officer were transferred from other medical colleges to Pariyaram. Only these staff are the government employees here.

Later, vacancies of 249 doctors, 521 nurses and 776 other staff were created. Among them, 30 doctors were given temporary appointment. As the doctors who were already working did not receive new appointment order determining their post, they are not provided any salary revision or allowances. The staff of other departments also face same situation.

Though the government allots Rs 8 crore for disbursing monthly salary of the staff, the vacancies are not filled. As most of the staff were appointed when the institution was in cooperative sector, their retirement age is 58 years.

Those appointed before 2013 will retire at the age of 56 and come under statutory pension scheme. Others retire at 60 years and come under contributory pension scheme. Staff who retired after the government took over the institution did not get gratuity and outstanding leave pay.

Following the confusions in this, artist Raveendran who works in medical college approached the administrative tribunal requesting to let him continue in the job. The tribunal ordered that he can continue till the age of 60 as there are confusions over the appointment.

With this, 13 other staff who joined as party in the case also were benefitted with the verdict. However, there are complaints that no action is taken to fill the vacancies and provide them benefits like in other medical colleges.