KGMCTA Announces Indefinite Strike Over Government’s Unfulfilled Promises
Background of the Situation
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA) has expressed profound disappointment regarding the government’s failure to uphold its commitments. Initially, the association had postponed its indefinite strike following assurances from both the Health and Finance Ministers. However, in light of recent developments, KGMCTA has declared an indefinite strike starting February 2, which includes a boycott of outpatient department (OPD) services.
Phased Implementation of the Strike
The strike will be executed in phases. Beginning January 22, doctors will indefinitely boycott teaching activities in all government medical colleges. On the same day, sit-in protests, or dharnas, are scheduled to take place at government medical colleges and in front of the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) office in Thiruvananthapuram. Furthermore, on January 27, a day-long dharna will be conducted in front of the Secretariat. The boycott of OPD services will officially commence on February 2. Starting February 9, doctors will cease all surgical procedures except for emergencies, and from February 11, they will withdraw from university examination duties.
Previous Assurances and Current Discontent
Previously, Medic Helpline reported that KGMCTA had initially announced an indefinite boycott of academic activities starting January 13 but postponed it for a week after receiving assurances from the Health and Finance Ministers. In a meeting, the ministers promised that all demands would be considered, and the government requested additional time to implement these demands. The doctors agreed to defer the strike until January 19 to evaluate whether their concerns would be addressed.
However, a government order (GO) issued on January 18 failed to meet the doctors’ expectations. KGMCTA stated that the ministers had assured them that discrepancies in entry-level pay revision would be rectified and that outstanding pay revision arrears from 2016 would be resolved. Instead, the GO only offered a partial allowance to compensate for the entry-level pay cut, lacking retrospective effect or continuity in future pay revisions, which the association deemed inadequate. Additionally, there was no mention of long-pending arrears.
Ongoing Protests and Concerns
KGMCTA has been protesting since July 1, 2025, citing the government’s failure to honor various long-standing commitments related to pay revision anomalies, salary and Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears, avoidance of temporary and mass transfers, and the need for adequate faculty positions and facilities for both faculty and patients.
Dr. Rosnara Beegum T, the state president of KGMCTA, emphasized that essential health services, including casualty, labour room, ICU, inpatient treatment, emergency treatments, emergency surgeries, and postmortem examinations, will be excluded from the protest activities.