Belagavi: Health and Family welfare minister U T Khader on Tuesday informed the Assembly that the state government has hiked salaries of doctors and specialists working in government hospitals, community and primary health centres.
The minister said that the hike will come into effect from July 6, 2015. The move to hike salaries would address the problem of shortage of doctors in government hospitals, particularly in rural areas, he added.

The monthly salary of MBBS/BDS qualified doctors, doctors having post-graduation and super-speciality doctors has been hiked by Rs 5,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively.

Even though JD(S) member Shivalingegowda welcomed the decision, he was doubtful if the revised salary was enough to attract doctors and specialists to work in rural areas. “I don’t think the decision will bring back doctors to rural hospitals as private hospitals pay much more than what the government will pay,” he further said.

BJP’s C T Ravi demanded that the government hike the salary of ayurvedic doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff.