Srinagar, Sep 1: The agitation by MBBS and BDS interns over the long-pending revision of their monthly stipend entered its second consecutive day on Tuesday, with protests continuing at Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) and other medical institutions across Jammu and Kashmir.
The interns are demanding that their monthly stipend be increased from the existing Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000, arguing that the present amount has remained unchanged for nearly seven years despite rising living costs, increasing clinical responsibilities and repeated representations to the authorities.
The coordinated protest was witnessed in several institutions, including GMC Srinagar, GMC Baramulla, GMC Handwara, GMC Anantnag, GMC Jammu, GMC Udhampur, GMC Rajouri, GMC Doda and SKIMS Bemina. The interns have been holding demonstrations and maintaining their decision to stay away from routine duties until their demand is addressed.
The protesting interns said their demand was not merely about an increase in remuneration but about recognising the nature of work they perform during their compulsory internship.
“We are working in emergency departments, wards and other clinical areas, often during night and extended shifts. Despite these responsibilities, we are receiving only Rs 12,300 a month. The amount is simply not proportionate to the work we are doing,” said Dr Tasaduq, a protesting intern.
Another intern said interns are an important part of the day-to-day functioning of government hospitals and frequently assist senior doctors in emergency care, OPDs, wards and other patient-care services.
“We are not asking for anything unreasonable. We are demanding Rs 30,000, which is still modest considering the workload, inflation and the stipends being paid in several other states,” the intern said.
The interns also pointed to the disparity between Jammu and Kashmir and other states, saying that medical interns elsewhere are receiving substantially higher stipends while performing comparable clinical duties. Comparative figures cited by protesters show stipends of more than Rs 30,000 in several states.
Dr Ikhlas, one of the protesting interns, said the stipend had remained at around Rs 12,300 for years despite interns performing night duties, extended shifts and rural postings.
“Our stipend has remained unchanged for nearly seven years. We perform the same clinical duties as interns elsewhere, including emergency and night duties, but our remuneration remains around Rs 400 a day. We want the government to consider our demand seriously and raise it to Rs 30,000,” he said.
They said the issue had already gone through the government process, but implementation continued to be delayed. “A committee had recommended revision of the stipend, and the issue has also been raised subsequently. Yet we have not received a clear decision. We keep being referred from one office to another, while the matter remains pending,” they added.
The agitation comes amid acknowledgment from the Health and Medical Education Department that the proposal for enhancement of the stipend is under process. Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo had said on Monday that the demand was genuine and the file is lying before the finance department.
The interns, however, are seeking a time-bound decision and written assurance, saying verbal assurances would not be sufficient after years of delay.
“We respect the government and understand that the proposal has to pass through different stages, but this issue has already been pending for years. We want a clear timeline and a formal decision. Until then, the protest will continue,” an intern said.
The interns have sought immediate attention of higher-ups in this regard. (KNO)
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