Telangana doctors’ body seeks seniority-based transfers, removal of focal area categorisation

Members of the Telangana Teaching Government Doctors Association (TTGDA) have submitted a representation to the Director of Medical Education (DME) seeking several changes to the ongoing transfer process, including increasing the transfer quota, removing focal and non-focal categorisation and giving priority to seniority-based transfers.

The association urged the government to consider implementing transfers up to 40% of the working strength so that a larger number of doctors serving in peripheral areas could benefit from the exercise. The association also requested the government not to demarcate focal and non-focal areas for DME doctors.

The doctors further sought implementation of transfers primarily based on seniority. The representation also called for clarity regarding union recognition and exemptions, urging the government to follow existing General Administration Department (GAD) guidelines and issue clear written orders to avoid ambiguity.

The representation also highlighted concerns in super-specialty departments, stating that doctors serving in peripheral institutions in such departments should be considered, as transfers in these categories were not conducted during the previous transfer cycle.