Telecommunication Allowance

There were several shortcomings in the Telecommunication Allowance circular issued by the Secretary, Ministry of Health on 16/05/2011. It entitled several staff categories in the Ministry of Health for the Tele. Allowance who were not eligible while leaving out some eligible staff categories in the Island wide services.

After more than one year, the Ministry of Finance has taken steps to rectify those shortcomings by issuing a letter addressed to Secretary, Ministry of Health.

Although this letter is not related to payment of Tele. Allowance to Medical Officers, some opportunistic elements have obtained the above letter and faxed it directly to some teaching hospitals and provincial hospitals bypassing the Secretary, Ministry of Health in an attempt to prevent Medical Officers from receiving the Tele. Allowance.

GMOA had an emergency meeting with the Secretary, Ministry of Health on 26/06/2012 regarding this issue and the following decisions were taken:

  1. To continue the payment of Telecommunication Allowance to all Medical Officers.
  2. The upper limit for reimbursement of Telecommunication Allowance will not be changed (ie Rs. 6000/= for Grade Medical Officers)
  3. Disciplinary action will be taken against the officers who default payment of Telecommunication Allowance to Medical Officers.

The letter issued by the Secretary, Ministry of Health regarding this issue can be downloaded from here.