The document is a letter from Dr. Jaideep Kumar declining a job offer from IDSP Punjab to work as an Epidemiologist. Some key points: 1) Dr. Kumar has a BAMS, MPH, and PhD research in public health but found the pay package of Rs. 25,000 did not match his qualifications. 2) A study by Dr. Kumar found BAMS syllabus is similar to community medicine and public health degrees. 3) IDSP Punjab is offering higher pay to BDS+MPH candidates compared to equally or more qualified BAMS+MPH candidates. 4) Dr. Kumar declines the unequal treatment and pay categorization as being against principles

1. Dr.Jaideep Kumar BAMS,MPH,Ph.D Research Scholar (Public Health)
<deep.1050@gmail.com>
Contractual appointment for the post of
Epidemiologist at District Surveillance Unit- IDSP,
Muktsar.
2 messages
IDSP PUNJAB <idsppb@hotmail.com> Tue, Mar 22, 2011 at 11:53 AM
To: deep.1050@gmail.com
Cc: idsp muktsar <idsp_muktsar@yahoo.co.in>, MD NRHM <nrhmpunjab@gmail.com>, pshfw punjab
<pshfwpunjab@gmail.com>, "idsp-npo@nic.in National project" <idsp-npo@nic.in>
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)
Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP)
Parivar Kalyan Bhawan, Sector-34A, Chandigarh.
Phone No: 0172-2621506
No. IDSP/FC/PB/11/ Dated Chandigarh, the
To
Dr. Jaideep Kumar,
S/o Shri. Om Prakash,
970, Near Govt. School,
Prem Nagar, Sirsa, Haryana.
Subject:- Contractual appointment for the post of Epidemiologist at District
Surveillance Unit- IDSP, Muktsar.
********
Kindly refer to subject cited above.
1. Subsequent to the interview held on 14th January, 2011 State Health Society,
Punjab (IDSP) desires to engage your services on the conditions referred in the Contractual
Service Agreement enclosed herewith.

2. 2. The terms of reference for appointment as Epidemiologist is also enclosed.
The Epidemiologist will report to District Health Society through District Surveillance
Officer, IDSP.
3. You are to submit duly filled Contractual Service Agreement on Rs. 15/- stamp
paper along with joining report. The contract will be initially for a period till 31 st March 2012
from the date of commencement of agreement, out of which first 3months of the
assignment will be considered as trial months. You will be paid a consolidated salary per
month as per approval ( Rs. 25,000.00 ), as per approval.
4. You are directed to submit your joining Report within 10 days of the issue of
this letter i.e till 1st April, 2011 in the O/o Civil Surgeon of the district with an intimation to
Project Coordinator IDSP on the above address.
This incurs with the approval of Principal Secretary Health & Family Welfare.
Project Coordinator (IDSP)
Endst. No./IDSP/Pb./11/ Dated Chandigarh the
A copy of the above is forwarded to the following for information and
necessary action:-
1. NPO, Central Surveillance Unit, (CSU), IDSP, Delhi.
2. Secretary to PSH&W for information of worthy PSH&W please.
3. Secretary to MD NRHM (Pb.) for information of Worthy Mission
Director please.
4. PA to DHS for information of Worthy Director Health & Family
Welfare, please.
5. PA to DHS for information of Worthy Director Health (FW), please.
6. Civil Surgeon, Muktsar.
7. Consultant Finance, O/o State Surveillance Officer/ Project
Coordinator- IDSP Punjab; Chandigarh.

3. Project Coordinator (IDSP)
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Dr. Jaideep Kumar [BAMS,MPH,PhD Research Scholar (PUBLIC HEALTH)] Thu, Mar 24, 2011 at
<deep.1050@gmail.com> 12:30 AM
To: IDSP PUNJAB <idsppb@hotmail.com>
Cc: idsp muktsar <idsp_muktsar@yahoo.co.in>, MD NRHM <nrhmpunjab@gmail.com>, pshfw punjab
<pshfwpunjab@gmail.com>, "idsp-npo@nic.in National project" <idsp-npo@nic.in>
To
Project Coordinator (IDSP), Punjab
Respected Sir,
Thank you for the job offer for post of District Epidemiologist.
Unfortunately, I find it necessary to decline your offer. After carefully
weighing the pay package, I find that it will not match with my prerequisite. I
am very much disappointed after knowing the priority decided by IDSP unit
Punjab for pay package of District Epidemiologists in Punjab. IDSP unit Punjab
has decided the pay packages as 20,000 for B.Sc. (Home Science) + MPH,
25,000 for AYUSH Graduates + MPH and 30,000 for BDS + MPH. I have done
MPH degree in addition to BAMS and also qualified UGC NET JRF in Social
Medicine and Community Health. I have completed my MPH thesis

4. on: Suitability of Ayurveda Graduates (BAMS) in Public Health Work
Force of India - An Exploratory Study and later on I worked as AYUSH
Consultant for duration of 4 Months and 21 Days with State Health Resource
Centre, Chhattisgarh on AYUSH Study (Situational Analysis, Assessment of
Expressed Need and Standardization of “AYUSH” Healthcare Facilities in
Chhattisgarh) and provided services of Study Tools Preparation, Field Survey,
Data Analysis, Report Writing and development of recommended standards for
AYUSH Health Care Facilities. (Resume attached-Annexure 1).
For your kind information, findings of my study “Suitability of Ayurveda
Graduates in Public Health Workforce of India” revealed that there is similarity
in syllabus of Swasthvarita (BAMS) with regard to syllabi of Community
Medicine (MBBS), MD (SPM), and MPH (88.88%, 85.5%, and 67.4%
respectively). (Study attached-Annexure 2)
Not only this, many renowned personalities of Public Health System have given
their outlook that Ayurveda graduates can be utilized effectively as
Epidemiologist, Public Health Specialist after additional training or if they are
adequately trained as majority of them had opinion that the Ayurveda graduates
possess good knowledge about the Public Health aspects.
I have discussed earlier the findings of my study with the MD, NRHM,
Punjab and submitted copy of relevant portion of study to him. He was
convinced with Public Health capabilities of BAMS and assured us that
BAMS, MPH will be treated equally with MBBS, MPH.
IDSP Unit Punjab is adopting dual policy for district epidemiologist post.
Previously IDSP unit Punjab did not consider BDS + MPH for the post of
district epidemiologist. This time due to unknown reason, not only they are
considered and selected but also offered with higher pay package than
BAMS, MPH candidates. This step motherly behavior to BAMS, MPH
qualified candidates is due to mind set of governing body which is
dominated by Allopathic professionals. Authorities of IDSP units Punjab

5. think without any logic that BAMS, MPH are less competent than their
MBBS and BDS counterparts. They are less bothered about the training/
syllabus content of BAMS and duration of degree as compare to BDS and
MBBS.
I am unable to understand the reason behind the categorization of pay scale for
the same post with similar job responsibilities. Even in Haryana and Bihar same
pay package are decided for all district epidemiologists without any type of
disparities based on their education background but IDSP Punjab has adopted a
different approach and done categorization of the pay package of district
epidemiologists. When all candidates were appeared in same process of
recruitment and after selection the responsibility assigned to them are same
then why this type of discrepancy (Categorization of Pay package) practice is
adopted to create the fissure between the relations of similar category
professionals of same unit? This policy of IDSP Punjab is also against the
“Same work Same Pay” norm of central government.
If pay package categorization is a necessary part of IDSP regulation then it is
my humble request to the authorities of Health departments that please
compare the syllabus for Public Health contents and duration of BAMS, MPH;
BDS, MPH and MBBS, MPH as well as the resumes/capability of selected
candidates before deciding the priority and pay package. Please check the
irregularities in the process of priority deciding during the process of
Epidemiologist recruitment in Punjab.
Thank you so much for the time and offer you have given to me and I hope we
have the opportunity to meet again.
Thanking You,
DR. JAIDEEP KUMAR
[BAMS,MASTER IN PUBLIC HEALTH(MPH),UGC (NET) JRF HOLDER]
PhD RESEARCH SCHOLAR (PUBLIC HEALTH),
CENTRE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH,PANJAB UNIVERSITY,CHANDIGARH

6. RESI.:-H.NO.970,NEAR GOVT SCHOOL,PREM NAGAR SIRSA (HARYANA)
MOBILE NO.: 09416922939
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DR. JAIDEEP RESUME FOR INDIA.pdf
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STUDY REPORT ON SUITABILITY OF AYURVEDA GRADUATES IN PUBLIC HEALTH
WORKFORCE OF INDIA BY DR JAIDEEP.pdf
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