PCMC penalises eight staffers, sends out strong message
The said yoga classes are conducted inside the YCMH hospital campus in the open space near the outpatients’ department (OPD) between 2 pm and 4 pm
PUNE: For the first time, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has issued an order penalising eight staffers including a doctor at the Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMH) for attending yoga classes during duty hours. The action was taken by the PCMC administration following a complaint about the hospital staff being occupied in yoga sessions and neglecting patients in the bargain. Penalty will be collected from the salaries of the staffers, the order said.
Shekhar Singh, PCMC commissioner, said that the action is not suo moto and has been taken based on investigation into the complaint. “The complaint was received by us regarding the hospital staff attending yoga classes while on duty. Following the complaint, the PCMC team conducted an investigation and found that the staff was indeed attending yoga classes instead of performing their duties. We are not against yoga classes and everyone should do yoga but not during duty hours. After duty hours, they can attend the classes and keep themselves in good health,” Singh said.
According to the PCMC order issued on April 26, the penalised staffers include medical officer Dr Varsha Jawale (penalty of Rs53,356); librarian Pratibha Munawat (Rs22,032); assistant storekeeper Kavita Bahot (Rs11,904); clerk Sushma Jadhav (Rs10,432); and peon Shyamlata Taru (Rs11,896). Whereas the remaining three nurses have been fined Rs200 each for attending the yoga session without permission. In case of repeat offence, stern action will be taken against these staffers, according to the order.
The said yoga classes are conducted inside the YCMH hospital campus in the open space near the outpatients’ department (OPD) between 2 pm and 4 pm. The timing is such that the staff can attend the classes after the general shift or before the second shift. All the staffers currently attending the sessions are women. The sessions are provided free-of-cost and the staff is expected to attend the classes before or after their duty hours. However, the penalised staff was allegedly found attending the classes during duty hours since October last year.
Dr Rajendra Wabale, dean of the post-graduate institute of the YCMH, said that yoga classes are being conducted since some time now but it is understood that the sessions have to be attended outside of duty hours. “During the inspection, it was found that the staff was attending the classes without any permission. Also, the classes were being attended by the staff during their working hours. The same was informed by me to the administration who has decided to take punitive action against them. The penalty amount will be deducted from the salary of the staffers. Today is the last day of the medical officer’s duty as she is due for retirement.”
Despite repeated attempts, Dr Jawale could not be reached for comments.
