LUCKNOW, Feb. 8 -- Faculty members at King George's Medical University (KGMU) will now work longer hours, following a decision by the Teachers' Union on Saturday. Later this month, their working hours will be extended from 9 am-3 pm to 9 am-5 pm, in a bid to secure benefits similar to those enjoyed by doctors at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI).

The union is pushing for increased salaries, higher conference allowances, an increase in earned leaves from 10 to 14 annually, and a resolution on long-pending gratuity issues.

"We have unanimously agreed to work eight-hour shifts instead of six-hour days. Now, it is up to the government and KGMU administration to consider our demands and bring us on par with SGP...