With increased fees, BDS interns of PSM College of Dental Science demand Stipend Hike

Thrissur: Upset with the hike in fees, the Interns of PSM College of Dental Science and Research in Thrissur, Kerala have been protesting with a demand for increasing the stipend.

The students have pointed out that the college administration increased the fees without any prior intimation. As a result, the hostel fees got increased from Rs 4,000 in 2016 to Rs 7,400. Apart from this, the tuition fees have been increased as well. As opposed to the earlier tuition fees of Rs 2 lakh back in 2016, the students are now required to pat Rs 3.5 lakh. 

While the authorities have increased the fees, the stipend of the BDS students remains the same i.e. only Rs 4,000 per month. Therefore, the interns of the Dental College have initiated a strike demanding a hike in the stipend by Rs 2,000.

The students have pointed out that while the Interns belonging to the government institutes affiliated to Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS0 get an amount of Rs 26,000 as their monthly stipend, the interns of private institutes only get Rs 4,000.

Also Read: Private Medical colleges oppose KUHS decision on equal stipend

While commenting on the matter, an intern of PSM Dental College told Edex Live on the condition of anonymity, "Despite this increase in fees, our stipend has remained stagnant at Rs 4,000. We are demanding an increase of at least Rs 2,000 in the stipend."

The daily adds that the interns have initiated the strike as there has not been any order from the Kerala High Court in this regard. Last year, a student had approached the HC and demanded hike in the stipend. However, the case is still pending.

In another plea filed back in 2015, the petitioner students had pointed out that the University of Kerala had earlier directed the colleges to pay stipend to the interns. However, the colleges had claimed that they did not have to pay any stipend since there was no provision or regulation that asked the private institutes to pay stipend.

The Kerala University had submitted that not paying any stipend to the Interns studying in the private dental colleges was a violation of Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) curriculum. Clarifying that the colleges are bound to pay the stipend and utilise their service to the advantage of their institution, the university had decided that a stipend of Rs 7,000 would be paid to the house surgeons in the government dental colleges.

Meanwhile, back on March 21, KUHS issued a directive and directed the principals of all the private medical and dental colleges to "strictly comply with" the academic council decision in 2015 to "grant stipend for interns of UG and PG courses at par with the interns of government colleges".

The circular stated, "Further complaints, if any, received regarding non-payment of stipend to the students will be treated seriously by the university." However, Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the management of private colleges had opposed the decision of KUHS to pay house surgeons (interns) the same amount of stipend as government medical colleges in the state.

Meanwhile, the PSM Dental College increased its fees which made the students furious and they initiated the strike. They informed Edex Live that after two days of strike, the administration of the college agreed to increase the stipend amount to Rs 4500. However, the students were not happy with such a minimal increase. Therefore, they continued their strike.

Referring to this, a student told the daily, "They are now refusing to talk to us. Many students are on loans to pay the hostel and tuition fees. They find it very hard to pay the increased amount without an increase in their stipend."

The All India Dental Students' Association (AIDSA) have come in support of the students. Writing to the principal of the institute, the association mentioned, "The house surgeons despite working selflessly are not getting enough stipend to fulfill even their basic needs. They are on strike and will be continuing (it) until the management meets their demands."

Also Read: Pay Equal Stipend to RGUHS Private Medical College MBBS Interns: National Students Union writes to Education Minister