Affidavits sought from KGMU faculty
The affidavits sought are similar to what was recently demanded from the doctors working in the government sector under the CMO, reports Gaurav Saigal.
Close on the heels of the Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) having been made mandatory last month, faculty members of King George’s Medical University (KGMU) got yet another jolt on Saturday when the university authorities asked all the teachers to give an affidavit that they were not engaged in any kind of private practice (PP).
The affidavits sought are similar to what was recently demanded from the doctors working in the government sector under the Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
This decision of the university authorities came as a major blow to the doctors here, especially those engaged in PP.
In March, the university made the Non-Practising Allowance mandatory for the entire faculty working in the clinical departments. But though the NPA was mandatory only for those working in clinical departments, affidavits have to be submitted by teachers even from the non-clinical departments.
It may be mentioned that the university authorities have already submitted an affidavit to the court, stating that none of the faculty on the campus is engaged in PP.
University authorities say the affidavits have been sought to fortify the statement placed before the court.
After the circular for individual affidavits was circulated among the faculty through the respective heads of the departments, chaos became evident on the campus, because the university has already made arrangements to keep a vigil upon teachers who were earlier openly indulging in PP.
After the affidavit is submitted, any teacher caught practising privately will be considered a defaulter straightaway.
Faculty members are unable to find an excuse because the circular says the Vice- Chancellor has already submitted an affidavit before the court that no one here is engaged in private practice and the move is intended merely to reinforce the earlier affidavit.