Nurses in Udupi get a Raw Deal From Govt

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 31, 2014: Reports say, Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag, Human Rights Protection Foundation (Udupi) President,  alleged that the basic rights of 16 nurses at the district health center in Udupi have been grossly violated by the Karnataka government, as they were not paid their full salary dues even after the revision of wages and issue of offcial orders.

Speaking at a meet in Udupi, Dr.Shanbhag said the nurses were given temporary appointment orders by the district health officers in year 2000. They were assured of increment and the government issued orders in this regard. However, the assurance of increment remained on paper only. Their initial salary, Rs 3,300 was revised to Rs 4,575 in February 2007. They were given an increment in May 2007 and the salary was revised to Rs 8,825. It was again revised to Rs 17,650 in 2012.

‘Govt has detracted’:   Dr. Shanbhag stated,  the regular increments which were promised were never paid. The nurses have been receiving a salary of Rs 4,575 and was never revised upward. Most of the nurses commute to district health centers from distant  places like Hebri and Byndoor. They incur travel expenditure alone around Rs 3,500 every month. Their many requests in writing to the district health officer have got no action at all. Their demand for work specifications are ignored even after the nurses have served for 14 years. The nurses are under sress of  job insecurity and their far reaching consequences.

Dr. Shanbhag added, the Foundation will move to Karnataka Administrative Tribunal with the grievances. He pointed out that in May, 2013 an order was passed by the Udupi DC to pay asalary of Rs 17,650 in addition to the arrears from 2006. However, no payment has been made. Each of the aggrieved nurses is entitled to get Rs 4 lakh to 5 lakh  arrears.