Kota’s Maharao Bhim Singh (MBS) Hospital is facing growing disruption after around 300 contractual employees continued their partial work boycott for a third consecutive day on Thursday over delayed salary payments. Employees staged a protest inside the hospital premises and raised slogans against the administration and the contractor company.
Contractual employees said non-payment of salaries for several days has affected their financial situation. They stated that the lack of a resolution despite ongoing protests has increased dissatisfaction among the workforce. On Thursday, employees boycotted work for two hours, affecting hospital services.
A large number of employees gathered in the hospital premises on the third day of the protest and raised slogans against the administration. Employees alleged that neither the contractor company nor the hospital administration was adequately addressing their concerns. They warned that the agitation would be intensified if the issue is not resolved soon.
The work boycott directly affected hospital services. Long queues were reported at registration counters from Thursday morning. Several activities, including OPD registration and ward services, were disrupted, forcing patients and their attendants to wait for extended periods. Existing arrangements proved insufficient due to the large number of people seeking services.
Hospital authorities said alternative arrangements were being made, but these measures were not fully effective because of the high patient load. Routine operations in several departments were affected due to staff shortages, resulting in inconvenience for patients.
According to hospital management, salary payments were delayed due to budgetary and technical reasons. Officials said they were in continuous contact with the contractor company and relevant senior authorities to resolve the issue and ensure pending salaries are paid at the earliest.
Contractual employees said their primary demand is the immediate payment of pending salaries. They are also seeking a system for regular and timely salary disbursement, accountability for the contractor company, and the implementation of a permanent mechanism to prevent future delays.
Employees warned that they would begin an indefinite strike if salaries are not released soon. At present, they are observing a two-hour work boycott, but indicated that the protest could expand further, potentially affecting hospital services more broadly.
MBS Hospital is considered a major government hospital in Kota and receives a large number of patients daily. If the agitation intensifies, services including OPD operations, registration counters and ward management could face further disruption.
