West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a substantial salary hike for government doctors and medical staff. This decision comes in the wake of the tragic incident at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a junior doctor was raped and murdered in August 2024, leading to widespread protests and demands for better working conditions and security measures.
Details of the Salary Hike:
- Junior Medical Staff: Interns, house staff, postgraduate trainees, and postdoctoral trainees will receive a monthly stipend increment of ₹10,000.
Senior Resident Doctors: Salaries have been increased by ₹15,000 across all levels:
- Diploma-holding senior resident doctors: From ₹65,000 to ₹80,000 per month.
- Postgraduate senior resident doctors: From ₹70,000 to ₹85,000 per month.
- Postdoctoral senior doctors: From ₹75,000 to ₹1,00,000 per month.
The permissible distance for government doctors to engage in private practice has been extended from 20 km to 30 km from their place of work. The Chief Minister announced the revocation of suspensions for six trainee doctors from Midnapore Medical College and Hospital. These suspensions were initially imposed following the death of a patient in January 2025.
Chief Minister Banerjee expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased RG Kar Hospital doctor and emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring justice. She highlighted the introduction of the Aparajita Bill, which proposes capital punishment for rape convicts whose crimes result in the victim's death or leave them in a vegetative state. This bill is currently awaiting approval from the President.
