SRINAGAR: MBBS and BDS interns held peaceful protests across Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in Jammu and Kashmir and at SKIMS Bemina on Monday, demanding revision of their long-pending internship stipend.
The protests were organized as part of a collective campaign by medical interns seeking a monthly stipend of Rs 30,000 and implementation of the recommendations pending before the authorities.
Carrying banners and placards, the protesting interns raised concerns over what they described as years of neglect of their stipend-related demands. They called for fair and dignified remuneration in view of the clinical duties and services performed by interns during their training.
The protests were reported from GMCs across Jammu and Kashmir as well as SKIMS Bemina, with interns maintaining that the demand was not confined to a single institution.
Among the messages displayed during the demonstrations was a call for implementation of the pending Finance Committee recommendations, along with demands for “equal work, equal pay” and revision of the internship stipend.
The interns said they were serving patients and contributing to healthcare delivery while receiving what they described as inadequate remuneration.
They maintained that the stipend issue had remained unresolved for years despite repeated representations, and urged the authorities to address the matter without further delay.
The protesting MBBS and BDS interns also appealed to the administration to ensure a fair and uniform stipend structure across medical institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.
The demonstrations remained peaceful, with interns reiterating that their demand was aimed at securing what they described as fair compensation and dignified treatment for their work and service in the healthcare system. [KNT]
