BMC cites poll code, nixes proposal to recruit nurses

MUMBAI: The BMC has declined a proposal from its four medical colleges and sole dental college that collectively requested the civic body to write to the collector’s office, seeking exemption to carry out some recruitment and procurement processes. These activities have halted due to the model code of conduct.

A senior medical official said the civic-run medical colleges, including KEM, Nair, Sion, Cooper, and Nair Dental, collaborated and submitted a unified list of essential purchases required for hospitals’ operations. Importantly, they appealed to BMC to permit issuance of appointment letters for recruitment of about 650 nurses. While the recruitment process was in progress and nearly finalized, it was disrupted just before issuing the appointment letters as the code of conduct kicked in. Further, the colleges also wanted to hire multipurpose labourers; this request was also denied.

“The operation of the medical colleges has been disrupted for some time now. As institutions providing emergency services, we had hoped for some exemptions,” said one of the deans. They added their request for an exemption was rejected at the level of the deputy municipal commissioner, so it could never reach the collector. TOI learnt the matter was also raised with the commissioner, but it did not receive a favourable response.

The functioning of BMC’s major hospitals and the public health department has been significantly impacted, with approximately 20%-25% of their workforce reassigned for election-related duties since March. Initially, the collector’s office redirected 715 employees from the C category staff, which includes nurses, clerks, paramedics, and technicians responsible for patient care, scheduling operations, managing computer systems, handling accounts, and other day-to-day administrative tasks. A few weeks ago, the collector’s office stirred controversy by requisitioning doctors and nurses for election duty. However, they revoked the order within a day due to protests.

A civic official said hospitals are permitted to make purchases if they adhere to the existing rate contract. But if they wish to procure items based on a new rate contract, it is not allowed at the moment because they cannot initiate any tender processes. A dean said they have been exploring ways to make purchases within the Rs 10 lakh limit, but it is not always easy. “We are not allowing medical work to be hampered but sometimes there is a slowdown,” admitted another dean. The poll code came into effect on March 16.

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