Proposal under process: Itoo
Srinagar: Medical interns of MBBS and BDS courses in Jammu & Kashmir began an indefinite strike on Monday, demanding enhancement of their monthly stipend.
Officials said interns at GMC Srinagar and its associate hospitals have completely suspended clinical services. The interns are seeking an increase in their stipend from the current Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000, arguing that the amount has remained stagnant for nearly six years despite inflation and heavy workloads.
Protesting interns said J&K offers one of the lowest stipends in the country compared to other states. The strike has been coordinated across the Union Territory, with interns from SKIMS Bemina, GMC Jammu, GMC Anantnag and GMC Baramulla also joining, affecting services.
Since interns form the backbone of round‑the‑clock hospital operations, the sudden withdrawal of services has significantly impacted emergency rooms, wards and outpatient departments.
In a statement, J&K Health Minister Sakina Itoo said the demand of the medical interns for enhancement of stipend is justified.
Jammu and Kashmir 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 for considering the hike.
Talking to reporters, Itoo said the government had met representatives of the interns and subsequently processed their demand.
“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 Health Minister said.
Sakina Itoo said the government was working on the demand and urged the interns not to resort to a strike while the proposal was being examined.
“There is no need for them to go on strike,” she said, maintaining that the government was considering their demand.
The Health Minister described the demand for an increase in the stipend as genuine, while indicating that a final decision would have financial implications for the government and therefore required examination by the Finance Department.
The statement comes as MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir have been holding peaceful protests over the long-pending demand for revision of their internship stipend.
The interns have been demanding an increase in the monthly stipend to ₹30,000 and have maintained that the demand concerns interns across medical institutions in the Union Territory.
The J&K Students Association (JKSA) has also extended support. Nasir Kheuhami, national convener of JKSA, said, “The demand of the interns is genuine, reasonable and fully justified. Medical interns are an essential part of the healthcare delivery system. During their compulsory duties, they work in wards, OPDs, emergency departments, ICUs, operation theatres and clinical services.”
Kheuhami added that interns often work extremely long hours, sometimes extending to 24 to 36 hours. He said the current stipend is highly inadequate given the rising cost of living, and there is an immediate requirement to increase remuneration.
