Mamata Banerjee Announces Salary Hike For Doctors, Gets In 2026 Poll Position After RG Kar Fallout
Ahead of next year’s elections, the announcements show that CM Mamata Banerjee doesn't want to take any chance with doctors, say experts
West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) Mamata Banerjee has announced a Rs-15,000 increment for senior residents and a 10,000 increment for junior doctors. Moreover, Banerjee has also revoked the suspension of doctors of Medinipur Medical College, which was imposed following the death of a woman after childbirth.
These key decisions were announced as Banerjee held her first big meeting with doctors after the rape-murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Hospital, who was later named as Abhaya. The incident had led to outrage across the state and country.
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The Banerjee government has also removed Kolkata commissioner under pressure from doctors. A lot of security measures have been put in place. To build confidence among doctors, the state has also formed a redress section.
Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) has also come up with a new doctors’ union.
THE HIKE
The meeting after six months saw Banerjee fully ready to give out a hike and benefits. Experts say the TMC government is going all out to appease doctors.
After the increment, the doctors will earn:
- SR diploma: Rs 65,000-80,000
- SR degree: Rs 70,000-85,000
Bengal is redefining healthcare!Under the leadership of Smt. @MamataOfficial, the state has built a robust healthcare infrastructure:
✅ 38 medical colleges (Govt. & Private)✅ 42 super specialty hospitals✅ 13,500+ wellness centers✅ 71 SNCUs, 286 SNSUs, 76 CCUs & 3 HDUs… pic.twitter.com/9h20EVeNrJ
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) February 24, 2025
Banerjee said, “Don’t go out of Bengal. If there is any problem, reach out to your seniors. They will help and solve the problems. We will try to hold such meetings twice a year. Doctors are above politics and you are gods for common man."
Banerjee also asked male doctors to save their women colleagues. She said, “I will ask the brothers to take care of sisters. We all have to be alert."
Abhaya’s parents reacted strongly: “Her statements have no meaning. Why could she not give protection to our daughter?"
APPEASING DOCTORS
Ahead of next year’s elections, the steps show that Banerjee doesn’t want to take any chance with doctors, say experts.
Pinky Roy, an intern, told News18, “The hike is good. The CM said a lot of things. She said if we face any problem, we can approach her. That is what we wanted."
The event was organised by the administration and all medical colleges were invited. Students from the RG Kar Hospital, too, participated.
Tight security and watch were kept by Kolkata Police to ensure there was no sloganeering.
The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum, which was formed after the doctor’s rape-murder, was, however, not happy. Dr Aniket Mahato said, “Our movement was not to increase our salaries. The CM has not given any assurance about infrastructure. This was only a sabha, not a meeting. Abhaya’s culprit should be punished, that’s our main demand."
Banerjee had earlier stated that the government wants death punishment of Abhaya’s killer.
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