SIMS Hapur Medicos on strike alleging inadequate stipend, harassment: NMC takes cognizance, directs college to furnish details

New Delhi: Taking note of the grievances of the students of Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) Hapur regarding inadequate stipend and alleged harassment, the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has asked the concerned medical college to furnish details in this regard within 2 days.

The Apex Medical Commission has sought the details of the stipend paid to the Interns and PG students, month-wise for the year 2023 and 2024 along with documentary evidence. Further, the Commission has also sought the roster of all PG students for the last 3 months. 

Apart from this, NMC has also sought to know from the college about the issues raised by the Students who were/are on strike, along with their representation. 

The Commission came to know about the issue after receiving a representation in this regard from the United Doctors Front Association (UDFA) intimating that the students of SIMS, Hapur (both UG and PG) are on strike to meet their demands regarding harassment, inadequate stipend etc. 

Recently, on 25.05.2024, UDFA wrote to authorities including the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Chairman and National Task Force of NMC, and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh highlighting the issues faced by the students of SIMS Hapur and the consequent protest. 

UDFA had mentioned in the letter that the Principal of SIMS was allegedly mentally harassing the students, including threats of failing them in the exams. Pointing out that such actions are unethical and detrimental to the mental health and academic performance of the students, the association had demanded an immediate investigation into these allegations and appropriate action against the responsible individuals.

Further, the association had highlighted that despite the government mandate of giving the interns Rs 12,000 per month, the institute was paying the interns a significantly lesser amount. The letter further referred to the installation of cameras in both boys' and girls' hostels, with unrestricted access to the feed from the girls' hostel and termed it to be a "gross invasion of privacy".

Other issues that were raised by the association included the alleged imposition of unreasonable fines without clear justification, imposition of restrictive hostel timings for the interns and postgraduates, etc. 

"The response from the Dean of SIMS, threatening students with strict legal action and urging their parents to dissuade them from protesting, is deeply concerning. Such actions to suppress legitimate grievances and the right to peaceful protest are unacceptable," UDFA mentioned in the letter.

Extending solidarity to the SIMS students, the association had prayed to the authorities including NMC to immediately address and resolve the issues of mental harassment, inadequate stipends, privacy violations, and excessive fines. It also urged NMC to ensure the privacy and security of all students, refrain from any retaliatory actions against students exercising their right to protest, and engage in constructive dialogue with the student representatives to foster a fair and supportive academic environment.

Taking cognisance of the issue, NMC PGMEB wrote to the Dean/Principal of SIMS Hapur on 29.05.2024 and mentioned in the letter, a copy of which is with the Medical Dialogues team, "I am directed to enclose herewith a copy of representation dated 25.5.2.024 received from United Doctors Front Association intimating that students of SIMS, Hapur (both UG and PG) are on strike to meet their demands regarding harassment, inadequate stipend, etc. You are therefore, directed to furnish the following to this Commission within 2 days of issuance of this letter."

NMC sought the following details from the college:

"(i) Action taken by the College on the issues raised by the Students who were/are on strike, alongwith their representation

(ii) Details of the stipend paid to the Interns and PG students, month wise for the year 2023 and 2024 alongwith documentary evidence.

(iii) The monthly roster of all PG students for the last 3 months."

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