India, Dec. 21 -- In a major step to address shortage of doctors in tribal, remote and rural parts of the state, the Maharashtra government has started granting conditional promotions to medical officers in the public health department. Under the new policy, promotions are linked to a clear condition that medical officers must be willing to serve in tribal, remote and difficult regions of the state, said officials on Saturday.

In the first phase, 190 medical officers from Group 'B' of the Maharashtra Medical and Health Services have been given promotions to Group 'A' posts, subject to the service condition.

Health minister Prakash Abitkar said, "Currently, doctors and staff prefer to work in metros and cities. Hence, promotions will be ...