SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Finance Department has referred a representation seeking an increase in the monthly stipend of medical and dental interns from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000 to the Health and Medical Education (H and ME) Department for examination and necessary action.
The move follows protests and hunger strikes by interns at Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) and SKIMS, who have been demanding revision of the stipend. The interns began their agitation in late August, pointing to the unchanged stipend for the past seven years and the workload involved during their internship.
In a communication, the Finance Department forwarded the representation submitted by the United Doctors Front (UDF) to the H and ME Department, directing it to examine the matter and take action in accordance with the applicable rules.
The Finance Department has also asked the H&ME Department to conduct a comprehensive review of the existing fee structure and examine its alignment with prevailing rates in other States and Union Territories.
The H and ME Department has been directed to submit an action-taken report to the Finance Department.
