Service extension of 2 govt doctors sees opposition

Panaji: The directorate of health services’ move to extend the employment of two chief medical officers — Dr Kalpana Mahatme and Dr Rajendra Borkar—beyond their retirement, has drawn flak. Former govt officials say that such moves not only violate directives by the hight court, but also block promotions for others.

While the one-year service extension given to Mahatme on her superannuation at the age of 62 will end on July 31, the extension of Borkar will end on Sep 30.

Former govt employees’ association president and Congress’ St Cruz block president, John Nazareth, has referred to court rulings to urge the department to discourage such extensions.

“It is given to understand that attempts are being made to extend the period further. The officers in the hierarchy are denied their right to promotion and higher pay and allowances, and educated unemployed youth are denied job opportunities in the resultant vacancies,” said Nazareth.

In an Oct 2025 order, the high court held that “the state govt shall avoid extensions in services and continue to infuse young blood” to fill up govt posts.