SAMDCOT Defers Pen-Down Strike for Two Weeks After Government Cancels Faculty Transfers

Shimla, November 1: The State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers (SAMDCOT) has deferred its proposed pen-down strike from November 2 to 4 for two weeks following the cancellation of transfer orders of several senior faculty members and assurances from the state government on key service-related demands.

A delegation led by SAMDCOT president Dr Balbeer S. Verma met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at the Secretariat on Friday evening, in the presence of the Secretary (Health). The association said the Chief Minister assured the delegation that the concerns of the medical teaching fraternity would be addressed.

Following the meeting, transfer orders of Associate Professors and Professors who had not been relieved or had not approached the court were cancelled through formal orders issued on Saturday.

The government also agreed to introduce a transparent two-month faculty rotation policy, standardise service conditions across state medical colleges, extend Non-Practising Allowance to regular Assistant Professors and review the Senior Resident and postgraduate bond policies.

SAMDCOT also called for a unified administrative structure for IGMC Shimla and AIMSS Chamiana, with the latter functioning under the parent institution. It stressed that statutory National Medical Commission norms must be followed to safeguard the recognition of medical courses and seats in the state.

The association said the two-week deferment would provide the government time to issue formal notifications and implement the assurances. It will review the progress after the stipulated period before deciding its further course of action.