BMC intern doctors still waiting for stipend hike

803 intern doctors from BMC-run medical colleges in Mumbai protest delay in stipend increase to ₹18,000, plan to wear black ribbons from June 4.

Mumbai: Despite the state-wide increase of the monthly stipend to ₹18,000 of intern doctors in government medical colleges (GMCs) since February, interns from five BMC-run medical colleges continue to receive a monthly stipend of ₹11,000. Frustrated with the delay, 803 intern doctors from these colleges plan to wear black ribbons from June 4 in protest.

HT Image

The association claims their repeated efforts to follow up with authorities have been in vain, forcing them to protest their rights. “From June 4, all 803 intern doctors from the five BMC-run medical colleges will work with black ribbons. After a week, we will escalate our protest,” said Dr Abhinav Wagh, joint secretary of ASMI, adding that the association also demands that all interns be paid the arrears for the four months of delayed stipend increases.

In February, the state government announced the stipend increase for GMC intern doctors after consistent demands, citing that their stipends were the lowest in the state and among the lowest in the country. A government resolution (GR) was issued to implement the revised stipend across all GMCs in Maharashtra, excluding those run by the BMC in Mumbai.