Mangaluru, Jun 17: Karnataka government is planning to make physical fitness a mandatory benchmark to raise the retirement age of government doctors to 65 years, according to UT Khader, the Health and family welfare minister.

The development comes in the wake of the approval given by the union Cabinet to increase in the retirement age of central government doctors to 65 years from 62 years.
"Keeping in mind the shortage of doctors in the state, the state government also may increase the retirement age of doctors from 60 years to 65 years," Mr Khader told reports here.
"We are also open to increasing the retirement age of doctors to 65 years as the state is facing severe shortage. However, it is important that the doctor, who is retiring from the service, should be physically fit to continue service in the department. Hence, we will discuss the issue and prepare a plan in this regard soon," Mr Khader said.
Mr Khader said that the government will leave the choice of retiring or continuing in service after 60 years to the doctors.
On the shortage of doctors in the state, Khader said, "We are offering Rs 1 crore for specialists who are willing to join the government service on contract basis. Doctors with MBBS degree will be given Rs 42,000 per month and they will be absorbed as permanent staff with a salary of Rs 60,000 after the completion of three years in service."

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