On Covid duty, doctor without pay for year

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, August 5

An ex-serviceman, posted as a microbiologist at the Civil Hospital, Muktsar, and on Covid duty, has been running from pillar to post to get his salary for the past 13 months.

Major Sunil Bhardwaj (retd) had resumed his job after a break at the Civil Hospital on June 21, 2019. He was posted at the Civil Hospital, Amritsar, on July 1, 2019, and then transferred to the Subdivisional Hospital, Patti, on September 25, 2019. But due to some reasons, he could not join there.

Later, he was transferred to the Civil Hospital, Muktsar, in February this year. However, he claims the Health Department had not given him a single penny in this period.

“I have now written to the Chief Minister and Director, Health Department to help me get my due,” Dr Bhardwaj claimed. He said, “I am unable to meet the expenses of my family. Is this the way to deal with a person having an Army background?”

Dr HN Singh, chief medical officer, Muktsar, said, “The microbiologist joined here a few months ago. If he gives us the last pay certificate, we will help him in getting the salary. Now, it is up to him to bring the certificate.”

Meanwhile, Dr Satish Kumar, Senior Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, Muktsar, said, “Dr Bhardwaj had given me a representation for his salary, which I immediately forwarded to the authorities concerned.”

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