J&K Medical Interns Begin Strike On Stipend Hike

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir on Monday began an indefinite strike, demanding an increase in their monthly stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000 and insisting on a formal government order notifying the revision.

Protests were held at several government medical institutions, including GMC Srinagar, GMC Baramulla, GMC Handwara, GMC Anantnag and SKIMS Bemina in Kashmir, besides GMC Jammu, GMC Udhampur, GMC Rajouri and GMC Doda.

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The protesting interns said the stipend had remained unchanged for nearly seven years despite repeated representations to the government and assurances regarding its revision.

“We have been forced to abandon work and take to the streets. All we are demanding is a stipend commensurate with the number of hours we work,” an intern said.

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Dr Shahnawaz, an intern, said MBBS and BDS interns across J&K had joined the strike.

“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.

The interns said they work in emergency departments, OPDs, wards, ICUs and operation theatres and assist doctors in procedures and routine patient care.

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

Dr Abhinav Bhat, another protesting intern, said a committee constituted by the Health and Medical Education Department in 2023 had recommended an increase in the stipend to around Rs 25,000 for 2025-26.

He said the issue was subsequently raised during the 2026 Assembly session, where a proposed stipend of around Rs 26,300 was mentioned, but the revision had not yet been implemented.

“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.

Bhat said the interns wanted a formal order rather than further assurances.

“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.

Meanwhile, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo said the government had taken cognisance of the demand and that the proposal to increase the monthly stipend to Rs 30,000 was under process with the Finance Department.

“Their demand is genuine. We are not saying that it is wrong because there is a lot of inflation these days. There is a need to increase the stipend, and we also acknowledge it. The Hon'ble Chief Minister has also said so,” she said.

Itoo, however, urged the interns not to resort to a strike while the proposal was under consideration, saying the agitation could affect patient care.

The interns said they appreciated the minister's acknowledgement of their demand but wanted a time-bound and formal resolution.

Read Also Stipend Hike Proposal Under Process: Itoo When Patients in Kashmir Would Ask Me,“Parhaiz Kath Chhum?”

“We respect the minister and appreciate that she has acknowledged our demand, but we have heard such statements before. What we need now is a government order. Once the order is issued, there will be no reason for us to continue the protest,” an intern said.

According to comparative figures displayed by the protesters, Odisha has the highest monthly stipend among the states listed 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 and Delhi and Meghalaya Rs 26,300 each. Telangana is listed at Rs 25,900, while Arunachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh offer Rs 25,000 each.

Tamil Nadu's stipend is shown at around Rs 25,000, followed by Haryana at Rs 24,310 and Andhra Pradesh at around Rs 21,840. Gujarat, Bihar, Goa and Himachal Pradesh are listed at around Rs 20,000, while Puducherry offers Rs 18,000.

Against these figures, J&K interns receive Rs 12,300 a month, placing the Union Territory at the bottom of the comparison presented by the protesters.

Amid the protest, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and ensure an early resolution of the interns' demand.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Karra described the demand for enhancement of the stipend as genuine and deserving of immediate consideration. He said interns routinely work long and demanding hours while attending to patients and assisting in hospital services.

The J&K Congress chief also pointed out that the stipend paid to medical interns in J&K is considerably lower than that offered in several other parts of the country.

“I would therefore urge your good self to kindly direct the concerned authorities to engage with the protesting interns, listen to their grievances and work towards an early and satisfactory resolution of the issue,” Karra said.

PDP MLA from Pulwama Waheed Para also backed the protesting interns and urged the government to address their demand.

“Pushing the most educated youth onto the streets by refusing to listen is an unfortunate precedent to set,” Para posted on X.

He said interns carry significant responsibilities during emergency and night duties despite being paid Rs 12,300 a month.

The interns said they would continue their agitation until the government formally notifies the revised stipend.

“We have performed our duties throughout the internship despite long hours and heavy workload. We only want a fair and dignified stipend. Until there is a written order, the protest will continue,” an intern said.

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