On July 11, 2025, the standoff between the state government and the medical fraternity persisted as discussions continued regarding the implementation of the revised Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme. The Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA) remained firm on its demands, warning that the delay in notifying the agreed-upon benefits is causing widespread unrest among government doctors.
๐ The Core of the Dispute: ACP Delays
The primary point of contention remains the “bureaucratic delays” in implementing the dynamic ACP structure. While the government had previously agreed in principle to revise the career progression framework to bring it at par with Central Government doctors (granting financial upgrades at 4, 9, 13, and 20 years of service), the official notification has yet to be released.
During the discussions held on July 11, representatives from the HCMSA highlighted that:
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Approvals Exist: The file for the revised ACP has reportedly received approval from the Chief Minister and the Health Minister, yet it remains stuck at the administrative level in the Finance Department.
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Retention Crisis: The lack of timely promotions and financial parity is leading to a high attrition rate, with specialist doctors leaving state service for better opportunities in the private sector or central institutes.
๐ Additional Demands: Halting Direct SMO Recruitment
Alongside the ACP issue, the doctors reiterated their strong opposition to the direct recruitment of Senior Medical Officers (SMOs). The association argues that filling these senior posts directly blocks the promotion avenue for currently serving Medical Officers (MOs), leading to stagnation in their careers.
The HCMSA leadership has urged the government to issue the notification immediately to avoid any disruption in healthcare services. They emphasized that while they are open to dialogue, their patience is wearing thin, and a failure to resolve these “long-pending” demands could force them to escalate their protest to a state-wide agitation in the coming months.
