In a bid to retain doctors and attract more specialists to government hospitals, the health department is planning a substantial hike in their salaries.

Addressing a press conference in Bangalore, Health Minister U T Khader said the department has proposed to increase the salaries of MBBS doctors from present Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 per month and that of post-graduate (PG) doctors from present Rs 60,000 to Rs 1.25 lakh per month.

Khader said the proposal has been sent to the finance department and will soon be placed before the cabinet for approval.

The revised pay scale for MBBS doctors is on a par with the pay drawn by an officer of the rank of assistant commissioner. The revised pay scale for post-graduate doctors is on a par with the pay scale of a KAS officer (senior scale).

As many as 2,322 MBBS doctors and 1,703 PG doctors on the pay rolls of the health department will benefit from the proposal. Doctors recruited by the health department but deputed to hospitals run by city corporations will also benefit.

Khader said the government will also be taking up recruitment of 256 MBBS doctors and  1,457 PG doctors.