Lucknow: In a landmark development for resident doctors at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) has successfully negotiated a series of long-awaited reforms during a high-level meeting with the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor held at Brown Hall.
The meeting, chaired by the Vice Chancellor and moderated by RDA Patron Prof. (Dr.) K.K. Singh, addressed multiple demands raised in the RDA’s earlier representation dated May 10. In a rare display of swift administrative responsiveness, the Vice Chancellor not only accepted all prior points but also unveiled new initiatives, signaling a transformative shift in institutional support for residents.
Key Demands Accepted:
- HRA or Single-Seater Room for All: Shared accommodation will no longer be the default. Every resident will be entitled to a single-seater room or House Rent Allowance (HRA).
- HRA Reimbursement for JR1s: Junior Residents who were denied HRA earlier without being provided rooms will now be reimbursed.
- Hostel Infrastructure: Campus road repairs, solutions for the monkey/dog menace, and hostel-specific infrastructure upgrades will be undertaken.
- Security Boost: CCTV cameras and security personnel will be deployed in vulnerable hostel areas. Police assistance will be sought in cases of threats.
- Salary Disbursement: Salaries will now be released by the 1st of each month, with immediate disbursal of pending dues for the 2024 JR batch.
- Power and Backup: Hostel power supply will be improved via sub-metering and provision of backup systems.
- RDA Hostel Committees: New sub-committees will be formed in each hostel to ensure quick redressal of resident grievances.
Additional Reforms Announced:
- Salary Reforms: Newly joined residents will receive their salaries from the very first month.
- Married Residents’ Allowance (MRA): Administration will explore allowances for residents with families.
- Hostel Revamp Drive: AC-enabled wings, revised electricity charges, and improved plumbing and paintwork will be introduced across hostels.
- Expanded Health Coverage: Health cards for residents will soon include benefits for their dependent family members.
- 24×7 Food Facilities: A dedicated resident-only floor at 1905 Café and a new round-the-clock food court opposite SP Hostel are being developed.
- Transport Services: Regular buses will be provided for residents posted in community settings such as Mati, Banthra, and Sarojini Nagar.
- Mess Hygiene Overhaul: Police-verified and medically certified mess staff, along with monthly hygiene audits, will ensure food safety.
- Resident-Warden Engagement Policy: Wardens will be mandated to stay in hostels weekly and conduct direct grievance redressal sessions.
Calling the meeting a “watershed moment,” the RDA hailed the Vice Chancellor’s empathetic leadership and affirmed that the collective voice of residents had been decisively heard. The association expressed heartfelt gratitude to the university administration and reiterated its commitment to championing the welfare of all resident doctors.
Key members present included Dr Bhaskar Agarwal (Teachers Association), RDA President Dr. Divyansh Singh, Vive president RDA dr Sukanya Sampath and Dr. Ranvijay Patil, Joint Sect Dr. Saloni Verma, Dr Isha, Dr Ashish, Dr alok Kumar, Dr Shubham Verma, Dr amit Kumar Nayak, and executive members representing all wings of the association.
