Caught doing yoga, PCMC fines 8 YCM hospital staff; doctors call it harsh move

Asked whether he will reverse the decision, the commissioner said, “At this stage, I would like to say that I will look into the matter…I will assess the applications that have been received. I want to see what pleas they have made in the application. Based on their representations, I will take a decision…As of now, I can’t comment whether I will withdraw the decision or not but will certainly re-look into it.”

The commissioner had on Wednesday issued an order imposing hefty fines on the eight women employees which included a doctor. He had also ordered that the punishment should be mentioned in their service record. Doctors and employees of the YCM hospital then protested and approached the municipal commissioner, pointing out that the decision was too harsh. The employees argued that when the central government was encouraging citizens to perform yoga for a healthy living, the PCMC order runs contrary to it. The employees said performing yoga for a few minutes did not in any way stop them from discharging their duties. The employees said they worked during the lunch hours and used the lunch hour time for performing yoga and that too only for 20 minutes. When contacted, Dr Rajendra Wable, Dean of YCM Hospital and Medical College said, “The eight women employees were caught by PCMC vigilance squad in October last year practising yoga in YCM hospital premises. Yoga has to be practised during off duty hours. However, these employees were found doing yoga during duty hours and therefore the civic administration had imposed fines on them and had it mentioned in their service book.”

Asked whether he had opposed the move, Dr Wable said, “I had in writing urged the civic administration to issue them a warning and give them a lighter punishment….I think the punishment is disproportionate to the deviation. The YCMH employees said the imposition of fines as well as its mentioning in their service book would affect them badly.”

A senior doctor with YCM hospital said, “Practising yoga by employees is part of the policy of the Central government. It is a Central government initiative. In 2021, the central government had directed ministries and government departments to promote five minutes of yoga to refresh and de-stress employees. The directives were issued by the Department of Personnel and Training. When it comes to yoga, our Prime Minister is leading from the front. Therefore, we think the decision is harsh. A more lenient view should be adopted by the civic administration.” Other doctors at YCM hospital said yoga has been practised for the last 10 years at the hospital premises but for off duty employees. “It is not something which is happening for the first time. The administration should first issue clear cut instructions on this count,” another hospital employee said.

When asked whether the civic administration would adopt a lenient view, the Municipal Commissioner said, “As per the norms, no employee is allowed to indulge in any other activity other than the work allotted to him during the duty hours. If we allow yoga, then they will start dance and zumba classes. Especially, when it comes to a hospital, we need full focus of the employees on their work. Hospitals are places where timely help of the employees helps in saving lives.”

The PCMC commissioner said in view of the representations received from doctors and employees, he would review the decision. “I will reconsider the decision and may let them off with a warning. I will soon take a decision on it,” Singh said.  Among those found guilty included a homeopathic doctor who was on the verge of retirement, three nurses and the administrative staff. The doctor was fined Rs 53,000. Others were fined between Rs 10,000 and Rs 22,000.