Daijiworld Media Network - Jammu

Jammu, Aug 31: MBBS and BDS interns across medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir have launched an indefinite strike and staged dharnas in Jammu, demanding an increase in their monthly stipend from the existing Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000.

The protesting interns said the stipend has remained unchanged for nearly seven years despite repeated representations and protests, while inflation and the cost of living have increased considerably. They also pointed to the substantially higher stipends paid to interns in several other states.

Dr Shahnawaz, one of the protesting interns, said MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir had joined the agitation over the long-pending demand.

“Our stipend has remained at around Rs 12,300 for seven years. In several other states, interns are getting between Rs 25,000 and Rs 45,000. We are performing the same duties, including 24-hour and night shifts and rural postings, but are being paid only around Rs 400 a day,” he said.

He said interns in government medical colleges handle significant clinical responsibilities, including attending to patients arriving in emergency departments and assisting doctors in OPDs, wards, procedures and other hospital services.

“Despite performing regular duties and handling a substantial workload, we continue to receive only Rs 12,300 a month. This is unjust,” an intern said.

Dr Abhinav Bhat, another protesting intern, said the interns had launched an indefinite strike and were holding dharnas until the government issued a written order enhancing the stipend.

“We are on an indefinite strike and will continue until our demand is fulfilled. We want a written order, not merely an assurance,” he said.

According to Dr Bhat, a committee constituted by the Health and Medical Education Department in 2023 had recommended increasing the stipend to around Rs 25,000 for 2025-26.

He said the matter was subsequently raised during the 2026 Assembly session, where a proposed stipend of around Rs 26,300 was mentioned. However, the file is yet to be cleared.

Dr Bhat alleged that interns had not received a clear response regarding the status of the proposal, with officials allegedly directing them to different departments.

“Sometimes we are told the file has been forwarded to the chief minister, while at other times we are told it is with the Finance Department. We are being made to run from one office to another,” he said.

The interns have cited comparative stipend figures from other states to highlight the disparity. According to the figures displayed by the protesters, Odisha has the highest monthly stipend at Rs 44,319, followed by West Bengal at Rs 43,099 and Assam at Rs 35,000.

Karnataka pays Rs 30,000, while Kerala offers Rs 27,300. Delhi and Meghalaya provide Rs 26,300 each, while Telangana pays Rs 25,900.

Arunachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh offer Rs 25,000 each, while Tamil Nadu provides around Rs 25,000. Haryana's stipend is listed at Rs 24,310 and Andhra Pradesh at around Rs 21,840.

Gujarat, Bihar, Goa and Himachal Pradesh provide around Rs 20,000 a month, while Puducherry offers Rs 18,000.

Against these figures, Jammu and Kashmir interns receive Rs 12,300 a month, placing the Union Territory at the bottom of the comparison presented by the protesters.

The interns said their demand for Rs 30,000 was based on inflation, workload and the disparity with stipends paid elsewhere in the country. They said their duties include emergency services, OPDs, wards, clinical procedures, night shifts and rural postings.

They also highlighted that the proposed revision in Jammu and Kashmir, despite the 2023 committee recommendation and subsequent discussions, has not yet been implemented.

The protesters said the disparity was difficult to justify as interns across the country perform broadly similar clinical duties.

“Same work, same dedication and fair stipend” is the message displayed on their protest banners.

The interns have maintained that their indefinite strike will continue until the government accepts their demand and formally notifies the revised stipend.