Gujarat Govt assures 40 percent stipend hike for Junior Resident Doctors

Ahmedabad: Immediately after receiving assurances from the government about a 40% hike in their stipend, the Junior Doctors Association (JDA) of both government and private medical colleges in the state decided not to proceed with a protest on July 11. 

The association had previously issued a threat to launch a protest if the government did not raise their stipend. However, the state health minister Rushikesh Patel reassured the association's representatives on Tuesday that the 40% increase in their stipend would be implemented within the next 15 days, as per a TOI news report. 

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that raising slogans outside the office of the medical superintendent of Civil Hospital Dr Rakesh Joshi, the Junior Doctors Association (JDA) of both government and private medical colleges staged a demonstration against the government on Thursday seeking an increase in their stipend and further threatened to protest on July 11 if no action was taken.

Also read- Gujarat Resident Doctors Demand Stipend Hike, Threaten Stir

According to the association, the stipend of resident doctors increases every three years as per the government circular. According to this, the last increase was applicable from 1/4/2021. The period of 3 years for this increase was completed on 31/3/2024. The first application form for this stipend increase was given to the Government on 4/3/2024.

Afterwards, the All Gujarat Junior Doctors Association (All Gujarat JDA) and the Junior Doctors Association - BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad (JDA-BJMC) met in person with officials of the Health Department and the Health Minister five to six times, repeatedly submitting representations, said the association.

Sharing the matter on 'X', the association said, "However, no positive steps have been taken by the government so far. The stipend increase rule has been made by the government and now the government is turning away from the rule made by itself. Poor and middle-class students study in government and private medical colleges.

The government remembers to increase the fees of medical colleges on time but turns a blind eye to the issue of stipend increases. Seeing all these things, the resident doctors have no faith in the government system."

Now, the association has chosen not to move forward with a demonstration following the government's reassurances.

Also read- 7000 Telangana Junior Doctors On Strike Demanding Timely Stipend Disbursement