Delhi doctor recognised as Corona Warrior but made to run around for salary, disability benefits

The National Human Rights Commission has acted on a case of discrimination against a doctor with disability working in the New Delhi municipal Corporation. Dr Sumit Anand moved the NHRC after he did not get his salary for the last six months nor an increment for the last four years.

Right through the coronavirus pandemic Dr Sumit Anand, a Medical Officer with the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has been reporting for duty.

As a person with disability Dr Anand is exempt from government duty during the pandemic as per the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) order. Yet he has not missed a day and was recognised for his service with a Corona Warrior certificate by the Deputy Commissioner, Central Delhi Arav Gopi Krishna.

In return, Dr Anand has not received even a day’s salary for the last six months or an increment for four years now. To make matters worse, his application for availing basic disability rights and privileges as per Government of India rules has not been granted for two years now.

“I was undergoing my training in gynaecology when I was disabled as a result of medical negligence”, says Dr Anand, who went for treatment for an enlarged lymph node. The treatment led to the gradual paralysis of a nerve leading to his right shoulder. He was forced to give up his specialisation. Dr Anand was determined to work as a doctor and joined the NDMC in the medical cadre.

No salary raise for 4 years

I have a disability certificate from the Delhi government and a UDID card but have been denied my due benefits. I have been on Covid duty for the last five months despite my disability and yet the department has no empathy. I have been pleading for my salary for over five months now and my basic pay remains the same as it was in 2016. – Dr Sumit Anand, Medical Officer, New Delhi Municipal Corporation

Frustrated by this apathy, Dr Anand had written to the Lieutenant Governor, New Delhi, the Union Health Ministry, the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and the National Human Rights Commission. On Thursday evening came the news that the NHRC has moved on his letter and filed a complaint against the NDMC chief.

Finally, Dr Anand sees some end to his situation. “I am hopeful that the NHRC intervention will get me relief”. It’s indeed a sad state of affairs that a doctor doing his duty despite the challenges of disability is harassed and denied his rightful due.

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