Over 50 contractual profs at civic-run medical colleges may lose chance for permanent post

These affected doctors, along with other contractual staff, have approached Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation authorities to demand to start the recruitment process.

They argue that with fifty of them going to be out of contract due to crossing the age-limit, it will add to the already existing problem of acute shortage of teaching faculty in BMC-run medical colleges in the city.

The four colleges—Seth G.S. Medical College (KEM), Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College (Sion), Topiwala National Medical College (BYL Nair), and HBT Medical College (Cooper)—are all attached to civic-run hospitals. According to contractual doctors, of the 891 total assistant professor posts across these institutions, only 129 are held by permanent staff. While 323 are filled by contractual employees, 439 posts remain vacant.

According to contractual employees, this gap can be restored with experienced teachers who are eligible and experienced at teaching due to their contractual employment.

“But every time we approach authorities, there is a new reason to justify the delay in recruitment,” said a doctor adding that their last meeting was held in March but there was no resolution.

The contractual employees have also highlighted other issues such looming uncertainty as their service period is of 364 days as opposed to regular practice of one calendar year.

“Thus, there is uncertainty over whether our contracts will be renewed every 364 days. Even as our salary is revised periodically, it is not at par with permanent staff, making it impossible for many of us to survive in the city,” said a doctor.

Doctors also pointed out that no recruitment advertisements have been released for Medicine, Surgery, or Community Medicine since 2017. Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy have seen no openings since 2008, and Audiology and Speech Therapy since 2017.

Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Public Health) Sharad Ughade was unavailable for comments despite multiple attempts.

A senior official from the department, however, explained that there will be no relief for those crossing the age bar.

“The process of recruitment is delayed due to a combination of reasons including finalisation of roster which decides bifurcation of vacant posts under various categories and disability reservation among others which require approvals from state government. There has been prolonged back and forth resulting in delay but it is in its final stage now and soon requirements will be forwarded to MPSC which will issue advertisement to conduct the process. Those who cross the age-limit will be disqualified.”