Ganderbal, Sept 10: MLA Budgam Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi has extended his support to veterinary interns protesting over their long-pending demand for a stipend revision, while urging the Jammu and Kashmir Government to address not only their financial concerns but also the serious risks and lack of basic protective equipment they face during fieldwork.
Addressing the protesting veterinary students at Shuhama today, Muntazir said there are only 140 veterinary interns across Jammu and Kashmir and that a revision of their stipend would not have any significant financial implications for the government. He urged the government to examine the stipend norms followed across the country and pay the interns accordingly.
“They are the first responders. Animals are vectors of diseases, and veterinary professionals are the first line of response in stopping those diseases from reaching human beings,” Muntazir said, explaining that timely treatment of animals can help prevent the spread of diseases to humans.
He further highlighted the occupational risks faced by veterinary interns during field duties, saying they are required to work in potentially hazardous conditions without adequate protective equipment.
“The government should provide them with the necessary equipment. They are not even provided with basic medical equipment or gloves despite being sent for fieldwork,” he said.
Muntazir also raised concerns about students who suffer animal bites or other injuries during their field assignments, pointing to the additional burden of treatment costs that can fall on the interns.
Calling for an early resolution, Muntazir said the government should address the matter before the Legislative Assembly session.
“The government should solve this issue before the coming Assembly session. Otherwise, we will raise the issue strongly in the Assembly,” he said.
The MLA’s intervention comes as veterinary students from SKUAST-Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir, under the banner of the Jammu & Kashmir Veterinary Students Association (JKVSA), entered the fourth day of their peaceful and indefinite protest at Clinics Park, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Shuhama.
The students are seeking a revision of their monthly stipend, which currently stands at Rs 6,000–Rs 9,000. According to JKVSA, a formal proposal for the revision has been pending with the Finance Department since 2023, despite repeated follow-ups. The students have maintained that the prolonged delay has caused financial hardship.
Muntazir’s support has brought fresh political attention to the students’ demand, with the MLA emphasising that the issue extends beyond stipend levels to the welfare, safety and public-health role of veterinary interns working across Jammu and Kashmir.
