Injustice to veteririans in Assam

The veteririans serving at the Department of AH & Veteriry, Government of Assam and those under Assam Agricultural University (AAU) have been denied the benefits of Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) at the stipulated rate declared by the Government of India. As per the order F No-7 (22) 8/III/99, GOI, Ministry of Fince, the fifth Central Pay Commission had recommended that posts requiring a degree of BVSc & AH with registration of Veteriry Council of India (VCI) as the minimum qualification might be placed in a common entry grade corresponding to the entry scale applicable to general medical officers and dental doctors under GOI. In the same order, it was clearly mentioned that NPA at revised rate (25% of the basic pay) might be granted with effect from 01/01/1996 to those incumbents holding veteriry posts. Similarly, by order No. F No/7(19) 2008-I(111)-A, GOI, Ministry of Fince, the Sixth Pay Commission recommended that doctors should continue to be paid NPA at the existing rate of 25% of the aggregates of the pay band and grade pay subject to the condition that the basic plus NPA did not exceed Rs 85,000.

And by another order F-No-Secy (ADF) 2989/2016 dated 3rd June, 2016, Ministry of Agriculture and Family Welfare, Department of Animal Husbandry directed the principal secretaries of all the states to implement the payment of NPA to the veteririan in their respective states which till then had not executed the earlier OM of 2008.

But, the Government of Assam has not implemented this till today. The veteririans serving in the Department of AH and Veteriry are getting not even a single penny as NPA. State Fince Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has recently declared NPA for the medicos in Assam. But the case of the veteririans has not been considered. This bias is really unfortute.

MN Ray,

Khapara, Guwahati.

Sindhu vs Sai

PV Sindhu and Sai Nehwal, country’s two female badminton aces, started their career in different times. Sai’s first tourment was in 2006-07. She was the only Indian to play in that mode at that point of time.

Sindhu is much younger and came later. She is at a different stage of her career, just as Sai is at a different stage of her own trajectory. However, both are very physically strong athletes. Both have a very strong determition to fight till the end and not give up. Sai and Sindhu have their own challenges but I should rate their fighting spirit, physical abilities and their great competitiveness as the substance of their game.

In any event, domestic competition is important. It is a great motivation for each and everyone to raise the bar. Sindhu and Sai, when they compete against each other, even after all these years, it’s still a treat to see the contest. Healthy and sportsman spirit filled competition is the key to better one’s own game.

Satish Kumar Sarma,

Biswath Chariali

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