Srinagar, September 01: MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday continued their protest for the second consecutive day, demanding an increase in their monthly internship stipend 12, 300 to Rs 30,000 and seeking an early decision on a proposal already recommended by the Health and Medical Education Department.
Peaceful demonstrations were held at medical institutions across the GMC’s in Jammu and Kashmir, with intern doctors carrying placards and raising slogans demanding the immediate revision of their stipend.
Intern doctor Dr Tasaduk of Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar said the interns want the increased stipend to be implemented immediately.
“We want the stipend hike without any further delay. Until our demand is resolved, we will not remain quiet. The protest will continue and will not be stopped,” Dr Tasaduk said.
The agitation comes despite Health Minister Sakina Itoo stating that the interns’ demand was genuine and that a proposal for enhancing the stipend had already been processed and forwarded to the Finance Department for assessment of its financial implications.
Dr Mohammad Momin Khan of the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) said Health Minister Sakina Itoo’s statement yesterday was “very cold,” as she once again repeated that the stipend hike file is under process.
“How long will interns have to wait? The demand has been pending for years. Intern doctors need a concrete decision, not another assurance that the file is under process,” Khan said.
Khan also appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene and facilitate an early resolution, stressing that intern doctors play a crucial role in the functioning of hospitals and should be provided a fair stipend.
Meanwhile, PDP leader Iltija Mufti joined the protesting interns at GMC Srinagar on Tuesday and extended her support to their demand for a stipend hike.
Mufti’s participation came as the interns intensified their demand for the government to grant financial concurrence to the proposal and implement the revised stipend without further delay.
The interns have maintained that they will continue their protest until the government takes a final decision on the stipend hike.
