History of TNGDA…

Introduction

TamilNadu Government Doctors Association (TNGDA) is a service association for Govt. Doctors of Tamilnadu registered under Indian Societies Act Old No 215/ 1985 at Chennai and new number 65/2015 at Madurai (North). It is the only recognized service association for Govt. Doctors working in Tamilnadu Medical Service.

It was founded in 1969 in the name of Tamil Nadu Assistant Surgeons Association (TNASA) by Dr Angamuthu and Dr Kailasam in Nagaipattinam. It was one of the very few service associations for Gazetted officers at that time. It was accorded recognition by the Govt. of Tamilnadu vide G.O. (Ms) 1870 of the Public Department dated 07.10.1969.

TNGDA has been a strictly apolitical organization – non-partisan to caste, religion or language. The association was always functioning within the confines of a service association in a democratic manner. Since 1969, the association which was first started with few hundred members has grown with time and is at present 15023 strong and still growing. Like our country, the TNGDA also is a good example for unity in diversity. This organization unitedly fights for the demands of 10a1/ MRB recruited freshers, the senior most members for their Dean, JD promotions, Medical college Professors/ faculty to PHC/ESI doctors, the hard pressed CEmONC/ Casualty doctors. The association was able to deliver in all the demands of these multi-category members as the only association tirelessly fighting for service doctors. Based on the needs, TNGDA has evolved itself into a multi-wing organisation to address the members’ expectations.

History…

In 1960s, the Medical Services of our state had one Medical Services Association based in Chennai led by Dr. Rathinavel Subramanian and One Associate Professors Association based in Madurai led by Dr. Asirvatham from Madurai. These associations were started by prominent personalities with some elite group of service doctors and were doing more of academics than service issues.Later, in 1969, when Dr Balakrishnan from Railway Hospital was posted as Director of Medical Services, he encouraged the demand for an active service association, and the TamilNadu Assistant Surgeon Association (TNASA) was formed. Dr Angamuthu from Nagaipattinam and Dr Kailasam from Cuddalore founded the TNASA in 1969 at Nagaipattinam.

In 1972, the first State Conference of TNGDA (the then TNASA) was held in Madras. Honourable Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, then, Dr. Kalaignar participated in the conference. Dr Darmalingam was the State President at that time. The second conference was held in Madurai. Subsequently Dr.Krishnamoorthi from Chennai has been selected as president of the Tamilnadu Assistant Surgeon Association and he was holding the post nearly 10 years. He is a superb orator and good human being and his style is to achieve by negotiations. “Vathaadi Peruvom”.

So, in the early phase, Dr Angamuthu (Nagaipattinam) and Dr Kailasam (Cuddalore), Dr Krishnamoorthy (Chennai), Dr Esther Revathy, Dr Sethu, Dr Rajappa, Dr Murugaiyan (from Madurai).

The significant achievements during the period headed by Dr Krishnamoorthy were…

* Weekly-off,

* Compensatory leave

* Recruitment by TNPSC since 1982 etc.

Dr.Krishnakumar from Coimbatore later defeated Dr Krishnamoorthi and became State President in the election conducted in Coimbatore. Dr Esther Revathy from Madurai was State Secretary. In 1983 madam Dr Esther became the State President.

In 1985 Dr K Prakasam of Salem  was selected as State Secretary and D Ponnudurai was selected as State President. At that time there were only 3000 members in Tamilnadu Assistant Surgeon Association to become a major Association you should have more than 3000 members, so Dr Prakasam started a drive and the membership rose to 7000.

In 1985 since the government the first agitation in the form of one day token fast called for in front of Madras Medical college. Dr Ponnudurai was President and Dr Prakasam was secretary and Dr Rex Sargunam was President of Madras branch then. The government conceded some of the demands. Till such time there was only One Civil Surgeon post(District Medical officer) in the District. So Government announced 60 civil Surgeon post,civil surgeon specialties (General Medicine, General surgery and Orthopaedics) in most of the District.

Next in 1986 in an election at Madurai Dr Prakasam, Dr K Bose from Madurai and Dr V.S. Vijay were elected as President, Secretary and Treasurer. At that time Government MOs of Siddha and Allopathy were getting equal salary. So decided to go for strike on February 23 1987 was the first agitation. It was the first agitation in the history of Tamilnadu Assistant Surgeon Association. Agitation was a success and got special pay Rs.150 higher than the Siddha Doctors.

Dr Krishnakumar and Dr Prakasam, huge leaders were having contests within Association and Dr Krishnakumar was at helm for 8 years (State President/ Secretary).

In 1992, Non Practice Allowance has been increased from Rs.150/- to Rs.300/-.

Later TNGDA went for agitation demanding Time Bound Promotion as a single demand. In 1992, Dr Muthuraj was selected as Treasurer. In that, Personal Pay of Rs 100 was enhanced and Special Pay of Rs 150 were obtained.

In 1998 as per G.O 738, 4 Cadres were created in the agitation as Assistant Surgeon, Senior Assistant Surgeon, Civil Surgeon and Senior Civil Surgeon. 2000 Senior Civil Surgeon posts with Rs.12,000/- basic salary and 3000 Civil Surgeon posts and 2000 Senior Assistant Surgeon posts were created.

TN Assistant Surgeons Association (TNASA) was renamed Tamilnadu Government Doctor Association (TNGDA) when Dr Prakasam and Dr Vijay were at the helm.

Some of the major achievements during that period

1. Creation of 4 cadres in Tamilnadu Medical Service.
2. Half pay + Dearness allowance for Service Post Graduate
3. Later full pay orders were obtained for service Post Graduate
4. Abolition of honorary system
5. Abolition of Zonal System for PH doctors
6. Stopping Private medical colleges for atleast a decade.
7. Enhancing PHC Allowance
8. 50% Service quota and also eligible for open Quota
9. Maruthamuthu Commission Corpus Fund was created.

(During this time agitations like needle down strike for Nagapattinam, Cadaver issue Tirunelveli etc were held.)

10. In 1985, the TNASA was registered under Indian Societies Act at Madras North – Registration number 215/1985.
11. In 1992, demanding promotional opportunities in the IV Pay Commission agitation was organized and the cadres of Assistant Civil Surgeon, Deputy Civil Surgeon and Civil Surgeon were created. These posts were created and designated based on CML (total of 750 posts) and are vacancy based.
12. In 1998, V Pay Commisison agitation led by Dr Krishna Kumar and Dr K Prakasam got us 4 cadres of Assistant Surgeon, Senior Assistant Surgeon, Civil Surgeon and in addition Senior Civil Surgeon.(2000 self drawing posts both DME and DMS together)
13. In 2002 for a strike called against Private Medical Colleges, Dr Prakasam and 15 others were transferred to other far off institutions.

Between 1983 and 2007, led by leaders – Dr Prakasam from Salem, Dr Krishnakumar from Coimbatore, Dr Vijay from Vellore, Dr Bose from Madurai, Dr Rex Sargunam from Chennai, the TNGDA (formerly called TNASA) changed the style of functioning – from representation and argument to demands and agitation. The first strike was organized on 23.02.1987 demanding pay 4 cadres and “time bound promotions”. In this phase, strikes and other agitations were announced and demands put forth. There were other illustrious leaders like Dr Muthurajan from Kanyakumari, Dr Sundaram from Chennai, Dr Somasundaram, Dr Chandraprakasam, Dr Arulsamy from Madurai making the association active and vibrant during this phase.

The rivalry in the leadership of Dr KP (Dr K.Prakasam) and Dr K.K (Dr Krishnakumar) were fierce winning elections alternatively in a healthy and disciplined way. This rivalry lasted for about a decade till Dr KK retired. KK was State President for 8 years. Later Dr KP had an unquestioned stint for sometime till the great leader retired with 13 years tenure as head of TNGDA.

This phase was better viewed as the phase of Strength and Pride for the association. The members joined association for pride and security. TNGDA became a mighty organization. On occasions, some people though tried to form rival Organisations for the TNGDA, but they failed.

Dr Vijay, our State Secretary in early 90’s went on to become the Honourable Health Minister of our state (2011-2012) in the Govt. of our Honourable Chief Minister Dr J.Jayalalitha. This was one of our proud moment of the association. Many former office bearers – Dr Rajappa, Dr Kanagasabhai, Dr Geethalakshmi, have all become the Directors of our dept.

The TNGDA since 2007 till 2026 is the next phase.

In 2007, the prominent names like KP, KK, along with many other leaders like Dr Muthurajan, Dr Sundaram, Dr Somasundaram, Dr Arulsamy simultaneously retired from service/ association. The vacuum created in the leadership was filled with new faces. A new team of freshers under Dr.K.Senthil from Madurai, Dr Kanagasabapathy from Tanjore took over the leadership. After the illustrious tenure of Dr KK and KP, these freshers had the task of maintaining the legacy. Many members had their fingers crossed on the new leadership – especially when the 6th Pay Commission was due, Dr Senthil spear-headed the association towards its goals showing courage, maturity and hard work.

Under the leadership of Dr Senthil the TNGDA became mightiest and accomplished many demands, hitherto pending for years. With more members and better technology like computers, mobiles and other communication facilities, the TNGDA, in this phase was at its peak. This period the association used both strike/ agitations and technical/ tactical presentation to achieve its demands.

The TNGDA achieved many historical landmarks during the phase.

The important events during the period were…

1.18 months long planned 6th Pay Commission agitations in phased manner, culminating with the “massive strike” called on 06.06.2009.

The Prime day of TNGDA is on 06.06.2009 when the historical agreement for Time Bound Promotion (in the name of Person Oriented Promotion) was signed between our leaders (Dr Senthil and Dr Kanagasabapathy) and the Govt. in the early hours of 06.06.2009 with the threat of the massive strike called by TNGDA looming from 7.30 in the morning on the same day. Many other demands hitherto found routinely in our resolutions, now became Government Orders – by aggressive but tactical methods adopted by new leaders.

Many leaders like Dr.Selvapandian (Trichy), Dr.V.K.Rajendran (Madurai), Dr.Boopathy (Ooty), Dr.Ramanathan (Pudukottai), Dr.Kathiresan (Madurai), Dr.LiyakathAli (Nagai), Dr.Selvaganapathy (Chengalpet), Dr.Palaninathan (Ramnad), were part of both phases 2&3. The other prominent names in 3rd phase are Dr.Balakrishnan (Chennai),Dr.M.K.Ponnuraj (Hosur),Dr.Ravisankar (Coimbatore), Dr.Lakshmi Narasiman (Salem),

2. TNGDA led total strike of Govt. & Private Hospitals in Madurai district against arrest of doctors for patient death. (2008)
3. One day state-wide OPD Boycott demanding Hospital Protection Act (2008)
4. One day state-wide OPD Boycott condemning the murder of Dr Sethulakshmi of Tuticorin (04.01.2012)
5. Massive movement against the atrocity of Mr Pankaj Kumar Bansal IAS – federation of 13 associations led by TNGDA (2013) and a Mega Meeting held at NMC Chennai.
6. The G.O. 245 conferring the “Time Bound Promotions” after 8,15,17 and 20 years is yet another historical landmark further simplifying the Historical GO 354.
7. Many district level issues. – Against assaults, officers harassment etc.
8. Doctors Arrest Prevention G.O 220 of 2008
9. Hospital Protection Act 48 of 2009
10. PHC timings GO 339 of 2009 reduced from 8-5 to 9-4 with call duty only for calamities.
11. Allowances enhanced and new allowances announced (GO 53 of 2011)
12. Fixing up of seniority to Panchayat Union doctors. (2008)
13. Medical Code updated (2008-2014)
14. Allowances GO 64 was issued in 2017
15. Tamilnadu Clinical Establishment Act – modified to suit doctors interest was issued. TNGDA President was part the Committee constituted by the Govt to bring out TNCEAct 2019.
16. Awards instituted for Best Doctors by the State Govt.
17. Awards instituted by the State Medical Council (2012)
18. Medical Recruitment Board formed on the demand of TNGDA(2012) by the then Hon CM J. Jeyalalitha
19. Mr P.K.Bansal IAS – the well known officer ever in our department was transferred by Hon CM after the TNGDA led 13 association Federation was launched and threatened agitation in all directorates involving more than 100,000 medical, nursing and paramedical staff in 2013.

In 2013, the Federation of Medical and Public Health Associations of Tamilnadu were formed under the initiative of TNGDA – a first of its kind in the Health Department. 13 Service Associations of staff nurses, pharmacists, lab. Technicians, ministerial staff, VHNs, Health Inspectors, Hospital workers and others were part of the Federation. Led by our President Dr Senthil as its Convenor, the Federations’ mighty protest against Mr P.K.Bansal had a lightning effect – the officer was shifted. The federation also presented other common issues like creating more posts based on the work load, filling up of the vacancies, avoiding contract appointment above the cadre of hospital/sanitary workers, contract based only on employment seniority for hospital/ sanitary workers etc. Govt. has agreed to consider all the demands positively. The Federation Giant at state level continues under the leadership of TNGDA, but is at present left dormant, waiting for the right issues.

19. Casualty Dept started in DMS side – first in 16 non-medical college district headquarters hospital.(2013)
20. Launching TNGDA website (2007). Making it more modernized in 2014.
21. Launching TNGDA-FSS (2014) an unique scheme with about 1000 beneficiaries – to support their families with a lumpsum in case of loss of life of the member.
22. TNGDA MEDICLAIM : an unique grouphealth insurance scheme exclusively for Govt doctors was launched in 2019. Later extended to private doctors also and renamed TN DOCTORS MEDICLAIM and now catering the families of about 1300 beneficiaries. Cheapest helath insurance scheme in a tie-up Star Health Insurance for doctors. Compulsorily restricted to the minimum but large number of beneficiaries with Rs 5 Lakh Cover to a family of 4+ 2 Parents/ Parents in law with a premium of Rs 25000 p.a.

The TNGDA since 2007 is closely coordinating its action with the Indian Medical Association Tamilnadu. Many of the long pending demands of IMA for doctors’ welfare were achieved only with the fierce TNGDA taking up the issues. The TNGDA has very good ties with IMA. Doctors Arrest Prevention G.O, Hospital Protection Act, Best Doctors Awards by Govt. and Medical Council were all achieved.

23. Similarly the TN Clinical Establishment Act was modified and Doctors/ Hospital friendly act with rules were formulated by a Committee formed by the Government with Dr Senthil as one of its key member. After discussions for almost 4 years the TNCE Act was brought in the state in 2019.
24. TNGDA which was started in 7^th October 1969 completed 50 years on 6^th October 2019, the Golden Jubilee Celebrations were formally held in the state GBM held at Thanjavur. As the key demands of Advancement of Time Bound Promotion and Allowances were pressed with the Government, and TNGDA led JACDA was formed and the movement was on. Hence it was decided to celebrate the Golden Jubilee Celebrations after achieving the demand.

Later some constituents of JAC left due to personal rivalry and went on for unorganised emotional fast unto death and movement which failed. TNGDA again persuade that demand and after a Financial Department Committee, ultimately got the third Historical G.O 293 on 18.06.2021. Unfortunately the splinter groups opposed the G.O and was finally implemented as GO2 on 03.01. 2024 after a long drawn struggle.

25. In 2019 the Maruthamuthu Legal Corpus Fund was revamped with TNGDA as part of Committee and th e contribution was increased to keep par with the requirements. No doctor has ever paid from pocket on allegations of negligence as compensation and this scheme takes care of all such compensation. Legal support was also roped in by the new scheme.
26. In 2020 the TNGDAs demand of Doctors Corpus Fund with Rs 50 lakhs to the members family in case of death of a member when in service. Later this DCF corpus amount was increased to Rs 1 crore and is going strong. A never heard amount and system run by Govt with full contribution by Doctor Members.
27. The original GO of PHC timings 339 was over looked and arbitrary PHC timing was set by the DPH in 2022. TNGDA organized a state wide protest with more than 30 districts participating in the protest. The Revised Go 78 was issuedon 14.03.23 upholding the duty timing GO which was obtained by TNGDA efforts in 2009.
28. Onspot inspection and transfers of JDHS and Medical officers were done by administrators. TNGDA took up the issue with Hon’ble HM and reverted back the transfer orders democratically
29. In 2023 After few maternal deaths at Madurai Rajaji Hospital, few officials precipitated unpleasant situations. TNGDA took up the issues of the OGcians of Tamilnadu. With gross shortage of manpower and huge working hours the OGcians were suffering both in DMS and DME side. TNGDA had discussions with Hon HM, HS, MD NHM, Directors and slowly but steadily succeeding in their objective to improve the working conditions of the OGcians.
30. Compulsory transfer counseling was initiated by DPH in 2024. TNGDA spearheaded the state wide movement by formation of federation of 14 association in public health department and stopped this transfer counseling

TNGDA presently is headed by Dr K Senthil as President and an illustrious team of General Secretary Dr Srinivasan, Hon. Chairman Dr Ravisankar, State Secretaries Dr Chandrasekar, Dr Jesline, Dr Sundarajan and Treasurer Dr Prabusankar and 15032 members strong TNGDA marching strongly ahead.

Still rival units crop up and vanish, but TNGDA continues to flourish.