GMC Handwara issues show cause notice to 3 DNB Medicine resident doctors amid stipend protest

Srinagar: Amid the ongoing protest by postgraduate (PG) resident doctors over low stipend, the administration of Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara has issued show-cause notices to three residents pursuing DNB Medicine, recording unauthorised absence from duty.

The notices have reportedly been issued to 2 medicos following a protest by the doctors demanding a fair hike in their stipends, citing rising living costs, increasing professional responsibilities and significant disparities with other states and institutions.

In the notices issued on October 28, the Office of the Principal, GMC Handwara, stated that the three resident doctors had allegedly remained absent from their assigned duties on October 27 and 28 without prior permission from the competent authority.

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According to the administration, the heads of the concerned departments had reported their absence, which it said affected patient care at the college's Associated Hospital.

The residents have been asked to submit written explanations within 24 hours. The notices warn that failure to respond could lead to further proceedings under the applicable rules. They also refer to the Essential Services Maintenance Act in connection with the alleged unauthorised absence.

Meanwhile, the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) has condemned the action and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the notices. Alleging that the action was intended to intimidate residents protesting against low stipends, AIMSA has given the Jammu and Kashmir Government until November 12 to address the long-pending demand for a revision of stipends for PG residents and senior residents across government medical colleges in the Union Territory.

The association has also warned that resident doctors at other government medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir would join the agitation if the residents at GMC Handwara were victimised for raising their demands.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, AIMSA President Dr Mohammad Momin Khan said, "Resident doctors have the right to raise genuine professional and financial concerns through peaceful and democratic means. Why issue show-cause notices for raising genuine concerns ? Is demanding a fair stipend a crime?"

The association called upon the concerned authorities to review the notices fairly and ensure that resident doctors are able to raise legitimate concerns without fear of punitive action. It reiterated that demands for fair stipends deserve constructive engagement rather than escalation.

AIMSA Chief Advisors and PG Residents of all GMC across J&K highlighted the concerns of resident doctors, stressing that the existing stipend structure requires urgent review in view of rising living costs, increasing professional responsibilities and significant disparities with other states and institutions.

PG Resident Dr Sanah Javid, AIMSA leader, urged the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Health Minister and concerned departments to take the matter seriously and ensure a fair, transparent and time-bound revision of stipends. “Fair remuneration for resident doctors is not a privilege; it is a matter of equity, dignity and justice,” she stated.

AIMSA urged the Government to resolve the stipend issue by November 12 and called for a fair and transparent approach towards resident doctors.

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