SRINAGAR — MBBS and BDS interns held peaceful protests across Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in Jammu and Kashmir and at SKIMS Bemina on Monday, demanding revision of their long-pending internship stipend.
The protests were organised as part of a collective campaign by medical interns seeking a monthly stipend of ₹30,000 and implementation of recommendations pending before the authorities.
Carrying banners and placards, the protesting interns raised concerns over what they described as years of neglect of their stipend-related demands, calling for fair and dignified remuneration in view of the clinical duties and services performed by interns during their training.
The protests were reported from GMCs across Jammu and Kashmir as well as SKIMS Bemina, with interns maintaining that the demand was not confined to a single institution.
Among the messages displayed during the demonstrations was a call for implementation of pending Finance Committee recommendations, along with demands for "equal work, equal pay" and revision of the internship stipend.
The interns said they were serving patients and contributing to healthcare delivery while receiving what they described as inadequate remuneration. They maintained that the stipend issue had remained unresolved for years despite repeated representations, and urged authorities to address the matter without further delay.
The protesting interns also appealed to the administration to ensure a fair and uniform stipend structure across medical institutions in Jammu and Kashmir. The demonstrations remained peaceful.
Responding to the protest, Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo said the demand of MBBS interns for an increase in their monthly stipend was genuine, and that the government had already initiated the process for considering the hike.
Talking to reporters, Itoo said the government had met representatives of the interns and subsequently processed their demand.
"We have met them. After meeting them, we have processed their file. The file has been sent to the Finance Department for the financial implications. It is under process," the Health Minister said.
Itoo said the government was working on the demand and urged the interns not to resort to a strike while the proposal was being examined.
"There is no need for them to go on strike," she said, maintaining that the government was considering their demand.
The Health Minister described the demand for an increase in the stipend as genuine, while indicating that a final decision would have financial implications for the government and therefore required examination by the Finance Department.
The article first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse at https://kashmirpulse.com/health/mbbs-bds-interns-protest-across-jk-medical-colleges-demand-%e2%82%b930000-stipend/115945.html
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