Granting of NPA for Medical Officers challenged in MAT

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

According to the Fifth and Seventh Pay Commissions, Medical Officers in Group 'A' and Group 'B' were receiving the 'Non-Practicing Allowance' (NPA). However, following a government decision on October 14, 2024, only Medical Officers in Group 'A' were granted this allowance, excluding those in Group 'B'. This discriminatory action has been challenged in the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal's (MAT) Aurangabad Bench.

The tribunal has ordered the state government to issue a show-cause notice. Previously, the government was given time until January 31, 2025, to submit a response. However, the MAT has now extended the deadline, allowing the government to submit its response by February 18, 2025.

What is the original petition?

Dr Pramod Yashwantrao Sonawane (resident of Chalisgaon), through Adv Vinod P. Patil, has filed the original petition in the MAT. According to the petition, the government's action of granting the NPA only to Group 'A' Medical Officers and excluding Group 'B' Medical Officers is discriminatory and violates the provisions of Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law.

Dr. Sonawane, both personally and through the organisation, had followed up with the government, requesting that NPA be applied to Group 'B' Medical Officers as well, just as it was previously. However, the government ignored this request and unilaterally, without any valid reason, deprived Group 'B' Medical Officers of the NPA benefits. As a result, Dr Sonawane has approached the MAT for redress.

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Cabinet decision taken in the meeting

The government decision regarding the NPA issued on October 14, 2024, was made following a decision taken in the Cabinet meeting held on October 4, 2024. This was mentioned by Milind Mhaisekar, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Public Health Department, in the government order. The decision stated that the NPA has been approved for Medical Officers in Group A (S-20) and higher pay grades, as well as for Dental Surgeons (S-20) and Dental Surgeon Specialists (S-23).