Resident doctors escalate agitation after talks with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation fail over pending DA revisions
April 22, 2026: Resident doctors across Mumbai’s civic hospitals have announced a phased protest starting Wednesday after negotiations with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) failed to resolve issues related to revised dearness allowance (DA) and pending arrears. The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors said multiple rounds of discussions ended without progress, despite DA hikes being approved but not reflected in salaries.
Doctors claim that a cumulative 31% increase in DA—approved in phases since July 2024—has not been implemented. This has led to discrepancies in salaries, with arrears reportedly nearing ₹50,000 per doctor. Resident doctors across all years say their current pay does not reflect the revised figures, despite official approvals for the hikes.
The protest will begin with doctors wearing black ribbons, and may escalate to mass leave by those in outpatient departments if the issue remains unresolved. BMC officials have cited procedural delays, including the absence of an authorised signatory, as the reason for the hold-up. However, with no immediate resolution in sight, the agitation could disrupt key healthcare services in the city.