Govt allows medical risk allowance for doctors, paramedics
October 19, 2015
Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar here on Sunday held the fifth round of talks with the Joint Action Committee of Federal Hospitals. After detailed deliberations, it was agreed that doctors and paramedical staff of federal hospitals from BS-1 to BS-22 would be paid “Fixed Medical Risk Allowance” with a different amount for each grade.
A notification to this effect would be issued by 31st October after completion of necessary formalities and approval of the prime minister.
Talking to media after the talks, the finance minister said that all the five rounds of discussion with the Joint Action Committee were held in a very cordial atmosphere. MNA Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, members of the Joint Action Committee, officials of Ministry of Finance and Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) took active part in the talks. “They showed a positive attitude and today we have reached this stage where everybody deserves appreciation for addressing the issue of fixed medical risk allowance,” the minister remarked.
MNA Tariq Fazal Chaudry and head of Joint Action Committee Dr. Sartaj Ali Khan thanked the finance minister for his efforts in resolving the problem and helping out doctors and paramedics of federal hospitals.
Those who attended the final round of talks included Tariq Fazal Chaudhry MNA, Secretary Finance Dr Waqar Masood Khan, Secretary CADD Khalid Hanif and other officials of the Ministry of Finance and CADD.
The Joint Action Committee was led by Dr. Sartaj Ali and also included Dr. Sajjad (Poly Clinic), Khalid Habib (Poly Clinic), Shahid Jan Khattak (PIMS), Raja M Ilyas (Poly Clinic), Mohammad Riaz Gujjar (PIMS) and Qaisar Khan Malik (NIH).
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar here chaired a combined meeting of the officials of World Bank, Water and Power, Finance, Planning & Development and Economic Affairs Divisions.
In the meeting financing proposals for Dasu Hydropower Project were presented. The World Bank officials informed the finance minister that 10 leading international contracting companies had expressed interest in bidding for the project.
The meeting after detailed discussion and deliberation approved the financial package for the project.
The finance minister did not agree to the proposed timeline for the award of the project contract in June 2016 and directed that the timeline be reduced by three months so that the contract may be awarded in March 2016.
Minister Dar on this occasion also reiterated the government’s resolve to develop the energy sector and plug the demand and supply gap of electricity. He said keeping in view the energy needs of the country it was necessary that power projects were taken up on priority. He urged all officials engaged in the Dasu Hydropower Project to ensure project implementation in accordance with the timeline.
The meeting was attended by Finance Secretary Dr. Waqar Masood Khan, Secretary Water & Power Younus Dagha, Country Director World Bank Patchamuthu Illangovan and other senior officials of the Economic Affairs Division, Planning and Development Division and Wapda.
