In her first major address to doctors since the R G Kar rape-murder case, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday announced a substantial salary increment for senior resident doctors, interns, postgraduates, and other healthcare professionals in West Bengal.
The announcement was made at a program organised by the state’s grievance redressal committee for doctors, hosted by the Health & Family Welfare department at the Dhono Dhanya Auditorium.
“We previously increased the salaries of both senior and junior resident doctors, but a further revision is necessary. Therefore, we have decided to raise the salaries of senior resident doctors across all levels by Rs 15,000,” said Banerjee.
Under the new salary structure, diploma-holding senior resident doctors will now receive Rs 80,000 instead of Rs 65,000, while postgraduate senior resident doctors will earn Rs 85,000, up from Rs 70,000. Postgraduate senior doctors who currently earn Rs 75,000 will now be paid Rs 1 lakh.
In addition to these increments, the Chief Minister announced a Rs 10,000 salary increase for interns, house staff, and postgraduate trainees.
Lauding the move, Pooja Maitra, a Block Medical Officer from Shantipur Fulia said, “BDOs receive 13 months’ salary in 12 months, and our long-standing demand was to receive a 13th-month salary. Today, the CM announced an additional 15 days’ salary, which we really appreciate.”
The event, titled Chikitsar Arek Naam Seva, aimed to address grievances within the healthcare sector. During her address, Banerjee stressed the importance of protecting women in the medical community and called for strict action against any misconduct. “I am entrusting my brothers to protect our sisters. In today’s era, it’s a positive development that men and women work, eat, and share the workplace together,” she said.
Banerjee also took the opportunity to praise the dedication of medical professionals, especially in difficult circumstances. “In today’s world, if you perform 1,000 good deeds, they often go unnoticed. But if one mistake happens, it’s highlighted. Does that mean no doctor is doing anything in service?” she remarked.
In addition to the salary increases, Banerjee spoke about various advancements in the healthcare sector under her leadership, including the establishment of 42 super-specialty hospitals, a chord blood bank, and an increase of 40,000 beds in government hospitals. “We have hired 25,000 nurses and 5,000 paramedical experts. We have added 4,345 medical seats and 26,000 nursing seats,” she said.
The CM further mentioned efforts to enhance health infrastructure, citing the increase in telemedicine usage with 4.82 crore treatments provided. She also claimed Bengal’s success in eradicating polio and increasing institutional deliveries from 60 percent to 99 percent, aiming to reach 100 percent.
The Chief Minister also touched on various proposals from the committee, including issues of integrity in university examinations and the need for better vigilance by police. She urged the use of ex-servicemen and more mobile police forces, suggesting increased training for civic volunteers to improve security.
In terms of cultural and sporting events for medical professionals, Banerjee ordered the sanctioning of Rs 2 crore for medical colleges to organise such events, encouraging the Youth and Sports Department to take charge.
The CM concluded by appealing to doctors to not leave the country for foreign opportunities, saying, “We are at your service. If you have any problem, please share it, and we will resolve it.”