BMC resident doctors stage black ribbon protest over non-implementation of revised DA

Mumbai: After talks with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) failed to yield any resolution, resident doctors at BMC-run civic hospitals have begun a black ribbon protest from Wednesday over the long-pending Dearness Allowance (DA) hike.   

The protest was initially scheduled for April 10 but was deferred to April 17 following a request from Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Public Health) Sharad Ughade. With no resolution reached, the doctors have now decided to go ahead with the agitation. 

The doctors under the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (BMC MARD) have warned that if their demands are not addressed within the stipulated time, they will be forced to escalate the protest from Friday (April 24). 

Also read- BMC resident doctors threaten black ribbon protest over long-pending DA hike

In a representation to the Medical Education and Major Hospitals wing of the BMC, the association said that despite sustained follow-up since August 2025 through multiple representations and discussions with the concerned authorities, no definitive update or resolution has been reached. 

The DA hike, pending since July 2024 despite Government Resolutions issued by the Government of Maharashtra, remains unimplemented for resident doctors of BMC hospitals. The association said that it has resulted in financial loss due to accumulated arrears and has also contributed to a sense of disparity among resident doctors.

"BMC MARD has consistently maintained a constructive and cooperative approach in addressing this issue through appropriate administrative channels. However, in view of the continued lack of progress, it has been decided to initiate a symbolic protest. Accordingly, resident doctors across BMC hospitals will participate in a Black Ribbon Protest from Wednesday," the association added. 

The association further informed that, in the absence of any decisive action by the authorities, the agitation will be escalated into a full-fledged protest starting Friday, with participation from resident doctors across all BMC hospitals. 

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the association stated that, despite the Maharashtra Government issuing Government Resolutions (GRs) for DA hikes effective from July 1, 2024, January 1, 2025, and July 1, 2025, the revised DA has not yet been implemented for resident doctors in BMC hospitals.

As per the state government’s revisions, the DA for resident doctors was increased by 12% effective July 1, 2024, then by 11% effective January 1, 2025, and further by 8% effective July 1, 2025.

However, resident doctors under BMC claim that they are receiving DA at around 443%, while the government-approved rate has increased to 474%, creating a gap of about 31%. Due to this, arrears have been accumulating for nearly 21 months, leading to financial stress among resident doctors.

Commenting on the matter, Dr Amar Agame, General Secretary, BMC MARD, told Medical Dialogues, "Resident doctors have begun a symbolic black ribbon protest from Wednesday. Despite nine months passing, there has been no concrete action from the administration on the DA issue, which is essential for financial stability amid rising costs. If an official circular is not issued at the earliest, doctors in OPDs will proceed on mass leave from Friday and escalate the agitation further."

Dr Digvijay Jadhav, President Nair MARD said, "Resident doctors participated in the protest by wearing black ribbons on their arms while continuing to perform their routine duties and patient care responsibilities without any disruption. This form of peaceful protest reflects both the commitment of doctors towards their patients and their collective concern regarding the delay in implementation of the DA. Nair MARD along with BMC MARD reiterates its demand for the immediate release of the DA circular and urges the concerned authorities to expedite the process."

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