Srinagar: The protest by veterinary interns at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Shuhama campus in Ganderbal entered its fifth day on Friday with some protesting interns beginning a hunger strike over their demand for revision of the stipend.
The interns said they have been seeking an increase in their monthly stipend, which they claimed has remained unchanged for years despite rising inflation and an increasing workload. They are demanding a stipend in the range of ₹20,000 to ₹23,000 per month, saying the amount currently paid to them is insufficient to meet even basic expenses.
One of the protesting interns said veterinary interns are among the first responders in several animal-health situations and work in conditions involving considerable risk.
“We are not asking for ₹2 lakh or ₹3 lakh every month. We are simply asking for a stipend of ₹20,000 to ₹23,000,” she said, urging the government to visit the protesting interns and understand the conditions under which they work.
She said the interns undertake field duties and handle animals on a regular basis, adding that their workload is comparable to that of veterinary interns at other institutions where stipends are significantly higher.
She further said the stipend has remained fixed since 2011, while the proposal for its revision has reportedly been pending with the Finance Department since 2023.
“Our seniors have tried many times to increase it, but our file has been stuck in the Finance Department since 2023. It is not moving forward,” She told Rising Kashmir.
The interns also questioned the disparity between their stipend and remuneration available in other institutions, arguing that they perform similar duties despite receiving substantially less.
According to the protesting interns, the issue has been raised through social media and with elected representatives, while several political leaders have assured them that the matter would be taken up in the Assembly.
The Jammu and Kashmir Veterinary Association has also joined the protest. Association president Saqlain, who has been participating in the peaceful protest, expressed disappointment over the lack of engagement from the government.
He said opposition leaders had visited the protesting interns, while no senior leader from the current government had so far come to the campus to hear their grievances.
He said he had spoken to Advisor Nasir regarding the issue but was awaiting a response.
The association president warned that continued inaction could lead to a street protest, saying the veterinary sector plays an important role not only in animal health but also in food safety and public health.
“If the MBBS issue can be addressed, veterinarians should also be treated in the same manner because we also contribute equally to society,” he said.
The protesters have urged the government to engage with them directly and provide a clear roadmap for revising the stipend.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister Javed Dar told Rising Kashmir over phone that he would meet the protesting interns at the Secretariat on Monday. Dar said he was unaware that some interns had begun a hunger strike and added that he would first meet and discuss the issue with them.
The protesting interns said they hoped the proposed meeting would lead to concrete action on their long-pending demand and resolution of the stipend issue.
