Karnataka govt. warns health staff against protest; employees press service demands

The State Health Department has warned employees of disciplinary action if they go ahead with proposed protests over pending service-related demands, even as staff associations stepped up pressure seeking promotions, seniority revision and opportunities for higher studies.

In a communication, the department cautioned that participation in agitation would invite action under conduct rules and urged employees not to disrupt public health services. Officials maintained that several corrective measures were already under way.

Members of the Karnataka Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA) and other Employees’ associations have flagged long delays in revising cadre and recruitment rules, some of which have not been comprehensively updated for nearly 50 years. They have threatened to launch a phased agitation from March 11 and have given a 21-day notice to the government. The department said proposals sent to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms were returned with objections and are being resubmitted with modifications.

A major grievance concerns pending seniority lists. While the lists for General Duty Medical Officers and Senior Medical Officers were last finalised in 2009 and 2012 respectively, several cadres have not seen revisions for years. The department attributed this to the lack of consolidated service records and said a provisional list published in 2024 could not be finalised due to objections and incomplete district data. Promotions are currently being granted based on provisional lists under Rule 32, an official statement said.

Officials added that a second Chief Administrative Officer post was created to expedite service matters and that 450 doctors have received time-bound promotions. Human resource data are being digitised under HRMS-2.0.

On demands for deputation to higher studies, the government said such sponsorship is not a fundamental right and is limited to 5% of sanctioned posts, based on service needs, particularly in rural areas.