Despite state approval, BMC doctors say delay in Dearness Allowance implementation is causing financial stress; protest to begin April 10
Mumbai: Thousands of resident doctors working under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have announced a black ribbon protest starting April 10, expressing disappointment over the prolonged delay in implementing the Dearness Allowance (DA) hike approved by the Maharashtra Government.
The protest, led by the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (BMC MARD), will be carried out without disrupting routine hospital services. However, the association has warned of escalating action, including mass leave or a strike, if their demands remain unmet.
DA Hike Approved but Not Implemented
According to BMC MARD, the state government had issued Government Resolutions (GRs) approving DA hikes effective July 1, 2024, January 1, 2025, and July 1, 2025. These revisions included increases of 12%, 11%, and 8%, respectively.
Despite this, resident doctors claim they are still receiving DA at approximately 443%, significantly lower than the revised 474%, resulting in a gap of nearly 31%. The delay has led to arrears accumulating over the past 21 months, causing mounting financial pressure.
Major Hospitals Affected
The issue impacts doctors working across four major BMC-run hospitals in Mumbai:
- Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital
- King Edward Memorial Hospital
- BYL Nair Hospital
- HBT Medical College and Dr R N Cooper Municipal General Hospital
These institutions form the backbone of Mumbai’s public healthcare system, handling a massive patient load daily.
Repeated Representations, No Resolution
In its press statement, BMC MARD said it has been consistently raising the issue since July 2025 through multiple meetings and written communications with senior officials.
On April 6, 2026, the association submitted a detailed representation to key authorities, including the Municipal Commissioner, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Public Health), Additional Municipal Commissioner, Director (MEMH), and hospital deans.
Senior office bearers including Dr Chinmay Kelkar, Dr Digvijay Jadhav, Dr Amar Agme, Dr Kaustubh Kokil, and Dr Shubham Solanke were part of the discussions.
The association also met Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi to highlight the urgency of the matter.
Deadline Set, Protest to Escalate if Ignored
BMC MARD has stated that it expects an official circular confirming the DA implementation by Thursday. A meeting has also been scheduled on April 9 by the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Public Health) to address the issue.
“If the circular is not issued, a token protest will begin from Friday, followed by phased escalation,” said Dr. Chinmay Kelkar.
Healthcare Services May Be Impacted
While the initial protest will not affect patient care, the association has warned that continued inaction could lead to stronger measures, potentially disrupting healthcare services in Mumbai.
“Resident doctors are the backbone of the city’s public healthcare system, providing 24×7 services. Delay in implementing rightful financial benefits is leading to growing dissatisfaction,” the association said.
The situation now hinges on the BMC administration’s response, as thousands of doctors await a final decision.
