- SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is scheduled to meet representatives of MBBS and BDS interns on Friday afternoon to discuss their demand for a revision of the monthly stipend.
The meeting comes amid an ongoing strike by interns across Jammu and Kashmir, who are seeking an increase in the stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000 per month. The interns launched the indefinite protest on August 31, citing the delay in revising the payment.
Five representatives have been nominated to participate in the meeting on behalf of the interns. They are Dr Tasaduk from GMC Srinagar, Dr Akib Javid from GMC Anantnag, Dr Mohammad Shahnawaz Malik and Dr Tanish Mansotra from GMC Jammu, and Dr Faraz from SKIMS.
The representatives will present the interns’ concerns and demands before the Chief Minister, particularly those related to the proposed stipend revision.
The protesting interns have argued that the stipend has not been revised for nearly seven years, despite increased living costs and their responsibilities in hospital services, including emergency and outpatient duties.
Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo has previously described the demand for a stipend increase as genuine. She said a proposal to raise the monthly stipend to Rs 30,000 was being processed and had been referred to the Finance Department for examination of its financial implication.
The strike has also affected the distribution of clinical duties at several hospitals, with senior residents and postgraduate doctors taking on additional responsibilities for patient care.
The meeting on Friday is expected to provide an opportunity for the government and intern representatives to discuss the issue and determine the way forward on the ongoing agitation.
