Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has issued orders for mandatory screening of state health department’s employees above the age of 50 years and those found to be ‘under-performing’ will be forced to retire.

An order in this regard was issued Tuesday on behalf of the director (administration), Health and Medical Services, Dr Pooja Pandey.

It stated that the screening committee will review the performance of class 3 and 4 employees of the clerical cadre. The committee will have four members to review the employees and then submit a report. 

According to sources in the health department, the screening process will give special focus on the employees’ attendance, physical fitness and their efficiency in operating computers.

Employees who will fail to meet the criteria will be recommended for compulsory retirement, sources added.

The order has, however, enraged employees’ association, which has announced their plans to protest against the order.

‘Deplorable decision’

Atul Mishra, general secretary of the State Employees Joint Council, UP, told ThePrint the government’s decision has put the jobs of 1,400 employees at risk.

“This decision is deplorable. This will make all the employees apprehensive as no one really knows who will be thrown out under the guise of under-performance,” he said.

“All health department employees have been playing crucial roles during this pandemic. The role and responsibility of class 3 and 4 employees are quite important in the CMO’s (Chief Medical Officer) office in every district. We have an important role in monitoring the health services associated with Covid-19,” Mishra added.

He said if anyone from them is removed during these crucial times, it will hamper the health services.

“Even though we are not paramedical staff, we still have an important role to play in this pandemic. The morale of the employees will be badly affected,” Mishra said.

A statement issued by the council Tuesday evening stated that its leaders will consult with the employees in every district and then hold protests against the government’s decision across the state on 14 October. 

“We also have other demands, which will be raised during the demonstrations,” said the statement.

Some of the council’s other demands are fresh recruitment against vacant posts within three months, disbursal of all pending dearness allowances, Rs 50 lakh compensation to family members of employees who died in fight against the pandemic, and disbursal of bonus to all categories of employees before Diwali.

Not the first time

The Yogi government had issued similar instructions to screen employees above 50 years of age in the police department in March this year. 

In a letter sent to all police units by the DGP headquarters on 31 March, the government stated that the screening has to be done for compulsory retirement of employees, deemed unfit or under-performing, from the rank of the constable to that of the inspector.

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