Mamata Banerjee Announces Salary Hike for Senior Resident Doctors and Interns

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced a salary hike for state government senior resident doctors, interns, postgraduates, and other healthcare professionals. This decision comes six months after the RG Kar rape and murder case that gripped the nation. Addressing a Doctor's conclave organised by the state government, Banerjee stated that senior doctors would receive a pay raise of Rs 15,000, while junior doctors, interns, house staff, and post-graduate trainees would see an increment of Rs 10,000 each.

“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," announced Mamata Banerjee. 

Under the revised structure, senior resident doctors holding diplomas will now earn Rs 80,000 instead of Rs 65,000, while postgraduate senior resident doctors will receive Rs 85,000, up from Rs 70,000. Additionally, postgraduate senior doctors who currently earn Rs 75,000 will now be paid Rs 1 lakh. Interns, house staff, and postgraduate trainees will see their salaries increase by Rs 10,000 each.

The Bengal Chief Minister also announced a Rs 2 crore fund allocation for cultural activities in medical colleges across the state.

During her address, she expressed her condolences over the tragic death of the RG Kar victim, saying, “I pay my sympathies to the family of my sister who lost her life. We want proper punishment for the culprits. You know I also had hit the streets." In addition, Banerjee also used the occasion to call for stronger protection for women in the medical community, urging strict action against any misconduct. 

Reflecting on healthcare advancements under her leadership, Banerjee cited the establishment of 42 super-specialty hospitals, the creation of a cord 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.