Rs 30k stipend demand: JnK MBBS, BDS interns continue indefinite strike after govt talks fail

Srinagar: The protest by MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir entered its fifth day on Friday, with the protesting doctors continuing their indefinite strike over their demand for a revision in stipend.

The interns have confirmed that their strike will continue after recent talks with the government failed to yield a positive outcome for them.

The protesting interns refused to call off their strike after the government sought a month's time to address their demands. They have maintained that their protest will continue until the government issues a written order confirming the stipend hike.

Today, a delegation of intern doctors met the Chief Minister’s Advisor to discuss the long-pending demand and apprise him of the concerns being faced by intern doctors. All India Medical Students' Association (AIMSA) leaders Dr. Tasaduk, Dr. Akib, Dr. Shahnawaz, Dr. Faraz and Dr. Zamin were part of the delegation.

Following the meeting with the Advisor, the delegation met Health Minister Sakina Itoo at 2:30 PM at the Chief Minister’s Camp Office.

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

During the meeting, the Health Minister asked the interns to give the government one month to address the stipend issue. However, the protesting interns did not agree to the proposed timeframe and maintained that the strike would continue.

The representatives of the association had earlier stated that if their demands are not addressed, intern doctors may go on a hunger strike in the coming days, since they have been waiting for a long time for the government to act.

The medical interns have been seeking a revision of their monthly stipend, which is currently around Rs 12,300, to Rs 30,000. The interns claimed that the stipend has not been revised in the last seven years. They said the current amount is barely sufficient and does not even cover their commuting expenses to the hospitals where they work.

The interns began their indefinite strike on August 31. Medical Dialogues had reported that the interns across government medical colleges and hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir launched a strike after being upset over the government's long delay in revising their stipend.

The protesters said they had also made representations to the government, including Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Ittoo, but had received no response. As a result, they have now demanded written assurance from the government.

The interns said they perform duties in emergency departments, OPDs, wards and other clinical areas, including night shifts and rural postings, while continuing to receive a stipend that has remained unchanged for years. They are demanding a stipend at par with those paid to interns in other states.

"These white aprons are not for holding protests but what can we do when nobody is listening to us? We are paid Rs 400 per day which is less than what a daily-rated unskilled worker earns," a female protester had told PTI on the first day of their strike.

They also pointed out that even the proposed revision in J-K, which had been under consideration following recommendations of the committee constituted in 2023, had not resulted in implementation of a revised stipend.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Sakina Itoo had said on the first day of the protest that the matter had been taken up and was under process by the J&K Government.

However, she added, “There is a financial implication to this decision and this is currently under review by the Finance Department, J&K Government. There is a need to increase stipends for the doctors and that the J&K Government is cognisant of rising costs. They did not, however, need to go on strike because this affects patient care."

Commenting on this, Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, Incharge AIMSA, told Medical Dialogues, "The interns have already waited for a long time. We want a clear and concrete commitment from the government rather than another assurance. If the matter can be resolved, why should interns be asked to wait for another month? We need clarity on how long it will actually take.”

Also read- Rs 30,000 stipend demand- JnK MBBS, BDS interns warn of hunger strike