Stipend Hike Proposal Under Process: Itoo

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Monday said the demand of MBBS interns for an increase in their monthly stipend was genuine and that the government had already initiated the process to consider the hike.

Talking to reporters, Itoo said the government had met representatives of the protesting interns and subsequently processed their demand.

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“We have met them. After meeting them, we have processed their file. The file has been sent to the Finance Department for the financial implications. It is under process,” the minister said.

Itoo urged the interns not to resort to a strike while the proposal was being examined by the government.

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“There is no need for them to go on strike,” she said, maintaining that the government was considering their demand.

The minister described the demand for an increase in the stipend as genuine, while indicating that the proposal required examination by the Finance Department as it would have financial implications for the government.

Her remarks came as MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir began an indefinite strike on Monday over the long-pending demand for revision of their internship stipend.

The interns are demanding that their monthly stipend be increased to Rs 30,000 from the existing Rs 12,300.

Read Also J&K Medical Interns Begin Strike On Stipend Hike When Patients in Kashmir Would Ask Me,“Parhaiz Kath Chhum?”

The protesting interns have said the stipend has remained unchanged for nearly seven years despite repeated representations and protests. They have also highlighted the disparity between the stipend paid to interns in J&K and those in several other states.

The interns have maintained that they perform duties in emergency departments, OPDs, wards and other clinical areas, including night shifts and rural postings, and have demanded that the government formally notify a revised stipend.

The minister's statement that the proposal is under process comes amid the interns' demand for a written order on the stipend revision.

The interns have said they will continue their strike until their demand is accepted and a revised stipend is formally notified.

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