Contractual assistant professors at civic hospitals in state betrayed by age bar

Assistant professors hired on contract in civic-run teaching hospitals are up against an age-limit stipulation, which states that their contracts will not be renewed when they turn 40.

- Shreya Jachak

MUMBAI:

As a result, more than 50 assistant professors of the 323 currently employed in Mumbai's four civic hospitals will become age-barred in the next three months. This would only exacerbate the shortage of doctors in civic hospitals as they also tend to patients full time.

Assistant professors, who teach the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course, have approached the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), seeking an extension of the age limit but to no avail.

Many of the assistant professors who spoke to HT said they are at a crossroads in their careers, thanks to the age limit. Apart from having to find alternative career options, many simply felt betrayed. "I have worked in the same position for nine years, with almost no pay hike.