The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Monday urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene in the long-pending demand for a hike in the monthly stipend of MBBS and BDS interns, saying continued delay in resolving the issue could adversely affect healthcare services across the Union Territory.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, the association said interns posted at Government Medical Colleges and other healthcare institutions are currently receiving a monthly stipend of Rs12,300 and have been demanding an increase to Rs 30,000.
It said the interns have been holding peaceful protests and have announced suspension of services from August 31, warning of an indefinite strike if their demand remains unaddressed.
JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami described the demand as genuine and justified, saying interns play a vital role in the public healthcare system during their compulsory internship.
He said interns work in wards, outpatient departments, emergency units, intensive care units and operation theatres, besides assisting senior doctors, handling emergency duties, performing night shifts and contributing directly to patient care.
Khuehami said interns often work long and demanding shifts, in some cases extending to 24 to 36 hours, while continuing to shoulder significant clinical responsibilities.
The association said the existing stipend is inadequate in view of the rising cost of living, the nature of their work and the responsibilities they undertake in government hospitals.
JKSA said the issue has remained unresolved despite the government constituting a committee in June 2023 to examine stipend enhancement. According to the association, the committee later recommended increasing the stipend to Rs 26,350 per month, but the recommendation has not yet been implemented.
Dr Wasim Khan, president of JKMSA, the medical wing of JKSA, said interns are justified in questioning why a recommendation made through an official committee process continues to remain pending.
He said the slogan raised by interns – “Seven years of neglect must end today” reflects years of frustration over repeated representations and administrative delays.
The association also sought implementation of the pending Finance Committee recommendations and said interns deserve a stipend comparable to prevailing rates in other parts of the country, considering they perform similar clinical duties.
Expressing concern over the possibility of an indefinite strike, JKSA said while interns have the right to peacefully raise their grievances, a prolonged suspension of services could place additional pressure on already burdened hospitals and affect patient care.
The association urged the Chief Minister to direct the concerned authorities to hold immediate talks with the protesting interns, implement the pending committee recommendations without further delay and sympathetically consider the demand for a monthly stipend of Rs 30,000.
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