JnK MBBS, BDS interns on strike demanding Rs 30k stipend

Srinagar: Upset over the government's long delay in revising their stipend, MBBS and BDS interns across government medical colleges and hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir have launched a strike.

The interns are demanding an increase in their monthly stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000, stating that the government has not taken any action on their demand.

The protest is currently being held at GMC Jammu, GMC Baramulla, SKIMS, GMC Anantnag, GMC Handwara and SKIMS Bemina.

Holding placards bearing the message, "7 years of neglect must end today," interns at GMC Jammu are protesting on the campus. The participating interns have said they will refrain from joining their duties from August 31 until the stipend issue is addressed.

They are demanding a stipend at par with those paid to interns in other states, arguing that they perform similar duties and handle comparable workloads.

Also read- Rs 12,300 stipend: JnK MBBS, BDS interns await long-pending hike

Speaking to IANS, a student said, "The reason behind our protest is that our stipend is very low. We are being paid Rs 12,300. We work as much as MBBS interns and medical interns in the rest of the country. We work even more because there are fewer medical colleges here and the workload is higher. Despite this, we assist our seniors in wards, OPDs, emergencies and ICUs. Despite all this, the stipend we receive is peanuts. We are getting Rs 12,300..."

Dr Mohammad Momin Khan of the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) also questioned the continued delay in revising the stipend of medical interns in J&K while stating that the UP government have increased the stipend of interns.

On August 25, the Uttar Pradesh state Cabinet approved the stipend hike of MBBS and BDS interns from around Rs 12,000 to Rs 25,000 per month. The increase in internship stipend will benefit around 3,928 students from government medical colleges, institutions, and medical universities in UP.

Extending support to the interns, Dr Khan said in a statement to Medical Dialogues, "MBBS and BDS interns have come together to peacefully raise their genuine concerns and demand a fair and timely revision of their stipend. The protesting interns have highlighted the rising cost of living and the workload and responsibilities they undertake while serving patients in hospitals."

He urged the Jammu & Kashmir administration to take the matter seriously and initiate a dialogue with the protesting interns to resolve the issue at the earliest.

The interns have appealed to the authorities to consider their demands sympathetically and ensure that their long-pending stipend revision is addressed without further delay.

In January 2025, the committee, formed by the previous government, had suggested a stipend enhancement to Rs 26,350 per month for the interns. However, despite the recommendation, there has reportedly been no progress from the government’s side even after two years.

Also read- JnK MBBS BDS interns to go on strike over pending stipend hike