No takers for BBMP doctors' vacancies

Palike mulling over holding walk-in interviews

 
BBMP had issued a notification on October 4, calling for the doctor posts including nine gynaecologists, four anaesthetics and four pediatricians. The BBMP had given time till October 31 to apply. But the response was poor.

Overall, the Palike has got only nine applications for the 15 posts in the City. “It is mostly to do with the government pay structure. Not many people intend to apply for our positions, when there are more options available outside,” said a BBMP official.

BBMP is now mulling over conducting walk-in interviews. “We are thinking of conducting a walk-in interview to generate more interest,” said the official. Not just this. The BBMP health services are going to face serious problems as the State Health Department has threatened to withdraw its doctors, who are on deputation with the BBMP. The time frame given by the Health Department to the Palike and make alternative arrangement in this regard is just six months.

 As many as 59 doctors are on deputation at the BBMP referral hospitals. Overall, the Palike has employed 113 doctors for its referral hospitals. While the Palike is banking on the reasoning that the government will not disrupt essential services like health, it is contemplating on hiring its own doctors for the entire operation. “Until now, we had 50:50 ratio between us and the Health Department. In future we intend to have all the slots filled by our own doctors,” said the official.

However, the matter has further complications with an amendment to the filling of vacancy under the KPSC Act. “This means the Karnataka Public Services Commission Act will have to be amended for hiring,” said the BBMP official. However, the Palike is optimistic that the matter will be resolved at the earliest before the Health Department withdraws its doctors.