Stipend for Uttrakhand MBBS interns increased to Rs 17000 per month
Dehradun: After weeks of protest and agitation, 330 medical interns of the state medical colleges have finally got relief as the government has now raised their stipend from Rs 7,500 to Rs 17,000 per month.
The confirmation to this effect was announced by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday.
Dhami took to Twitter to make the announcement and wrote: "Stipend to MBBS intern doctors of state medical colleges raised from Rs 7,500 per month to Rs 17,000 per month has been approved. The contribution of our doctors and paramedical staff has been commendable in reducing the impact of COVID-19 and providing prompt treatment to the victims."
Commenting on the new development, an intern of Doon Medical College told Medical Dialogues, " We are really happy with the response of the government. The minister has agreed to make the stipend at par with that of other hilly regions. The intern doctors have been protesting for almost one month, now to our great relief we will be paid our rightful amount of stipend."
Another intern from Uttarakhand Srinagar Medical College stated, " We have not yet received an official confirmation letter, but the minister has made a declaration via Twitter that our stipends will be increased. We organized a candle march, we went on strike and even sold Panipuris to air our grievances. We are very happy that finally the authorities took note of our demands so fast and agreed to increase our stipend to Rs. 17000."
Previously, Medical Dialogues reported that the High Court had directed the State to consider the possibility of increasing the stipend of intern doctors within the State. Giving such directions to the Secretary of Medical Health and Family Welfare, the HC bench observed, "For, on the one hand, it is difficult to attract the doctors to the State, yet, on the other hand, the stipend being paid to the intern doctors is too low as compared to the other States. Therefore, the State Government should consider the possibility of increasing the stipend of intern doctors within the State."
Around 330 medical interns from 3 Government Medical Colleges in Uttarakhand had resorted to strike. These interns included students from Doon Medical College, Dr. Susheela Tiwari Government Medical College and Hospital, Haldwani, and interns from VCSG Medical College, Srinagar. Giving a call for "One Nation, One Stipend", the interns demanded an immediate hike in the stipend of Rs 250 per day, given to MBBS interns in Uttarakhand, which was far less than minimum wage.
The stipend was revised last in the year 2011 and increased from Rs 2,500 to Rs 7,500. Since 2011, medical interns in the State had been paid a stipend of Rs 7500 per month, which is about Rs. 250 per day, the lowest in India. They sought that the Government increases their stipend to Rs. 23,500 per month, making it on par with other States. However, the authorities have agreed to increase the stipend up to Rs 17000 per month.
Indian Medical Student Association further posted on Twitter congratulating the interns and said, "We cordially thank @pushkardhami for increasing the stipend of MBBS interns of Uttarakhand. Many congratulations to all MBBS interns of Uttarakhand." National President of All India Medical Students' Association(AIMSA) has also stated, " Many thanks to the @pushkardhami for increasing the stipend of MBBS interns of Uttarakhand. Many congratulations to all MBBS interns of Uttarakhand Thank you for reposing faith in AIMSA."
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