JnK Interns Continue to Struggle with Meagre Stipends Despite Committee Recommending hike a year ago

Jammu: Medical and dental interns in Jammu and Kashmir are still grappling with an inadequate monthly stipend of Rs 12,500, despite a committee’s recommendations over a year ago for an increase. The committee, formed by the previous government, had suggested a stipend enhancement to Rs 26,350, but the matter has yet to progress.

Medial Dialogues had earlier reported that MBBS interns of Jammu and Kashmir were expressing deep frustration over receiving the lowest amount of stipend in the country.

The stipend amount of JnK MBBS interns is in stark contrast with their counterparts in Karnataka, who get a substantially higher monthly stipend of 33,000 rupees, in Assam they are paid ₹30,000, while Delhi pays ₹26,300 to its MBBS interns, Kerala pays ₹25,000, West Bengal ₹20,850 and Bihar pays to ₹20,000 its MBBS interns.

In June 2023, the Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department set up a committee, as per order number 538 JK-HME, tasked with reviewing and recommending a fair stipend for MBBS and BDS interns. According to the daily, the committee, consisting of top officials including the Director Finance of the Health and Medical Education Department, Principals of Government Medical Colleges in Jammu and Srinagar, and Principals of Dental Colleges, submitted its report in August 2023. According to the recommendations, the stipend should be set at Rs 26,350, which is approximately half the basic pay of a Medical Officer in J&K, in accordance with the National Medical Commission (NMC) norms, reports Rising Kashmir.

However, despite the committee’s efforts, the proposal has been stalled in the Finance Department for over a year, with no movement on the matter. This prolonged delay has left interns feeling increasingly frustrated. The interns from various medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir expressed their concerns.

In October 2024, a group of interns met with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar to raise their grievances. The CM assured them that there would be no disparity between J&K interns and their counterparts across the country. Interns had hoped that their demands would soon be met, especially following these assurances, reports the daily.

However, the situation remains unresolved, with the recent statement by the Health Minister only deepening the interns’ disappointment. The Health Minister cited financial constraints as the reason for the delay while promising that the issue was under consideration. “Surprisingly, the stipends of interns in the rest of the country were hiked twice to thrice in the last five years leaving us to suffer,” the dissatisfied interns stated. They pointed out that they are still getting the same amount they used to get during the governor’s rule indicating no progress in the medical sector.

Students from GMC Baramulla also voiced their concerns, urging the government to take immediate action.“The prolonged delay has plunged us into despair,” said a student. The students are hopeful that their demands of increasing the stipend will be addressed during the next budget session.