SRINAGAR: Medical interns continued their indefinite strike across Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in Jammu and Kashmir and SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, on Wednesday, insisting that the agitation would end only after the government issues a formal order increasing their monthly stipend.
The interns, represented by the All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA), are demanding an increase in the stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000, which they said has remained unchanged for nearly seven years.
AIMSA representatives Dr Danish Ali and Dr Farhan of GMC Srinagar, along with Dr Jabran Khan of GMC Rajouri, said verbal assurances were insufficient and reiterated that the protest would continue until the written order was issued.
The association said its Joint Secretary, Dr Akib Javid, received a call from the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) on Tuesday regarding the proposed stipend hike. However, AIMSA maintained that the communication did not replace a formal government order.
AIMSA president Dr Mohammad Momin Khan said repeated delays and assurances had undermined the interns’ confidence in verbal commitments. He said the association would continue to press for the written order.
The association urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to complete the remaining formalities without further delay and fulfil its commitment to MBBS and BDS interns.
AIMSA said the agitation would remain peaceful and continue across the medical colleges and SKIMS Bemina until the demand was met.
