SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Wednesday appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo to resolve the long-pending issue of stipends for BSc Nursing interns in the Union Territory.
In a statement, JKSA National Media Coordinator Mir Zubair said nursing students are “anxious and disheartened” as their internship has already commenced without financial support. He noted that in several states, BSc Nursing interns receive a monthly stipend of about Rs 13,500, roughly half of what MBBS interns are paid but students in JK continue to be deprived of the benefit despite comparable training and clinical duties.
The Association said Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) and Government Nursing Colleges (GNCs) across the UT have already forwarded student details to the concerned departments, but the Finance Department has been “delaying a final decision unnecessarily.”
Citing Indian Nursing Council (INC) guidelines, Tawseef Ayoub, Vice President of JKSA’s Nursing Wing, stressed that while MBBS and GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) interns in JK are paid stipends, B.Sc. Nursing interns remain excluded. “This disparity has placed an unfair financial burden on us, especially as we struggle with academic and personal expenses,” the students said.
The Association highlighted that colleges in Anantnag, Baramulla, Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur, Kathua, and Doda have already submitted necessary details, while the Health and Medical Education Department issued reminders in May to expedite pending cases.
Calling for immediate intervention from the Chief Minister and the Health Minister, JKSA said sanctioning the stipend would bring parity with other states, provide financial relief to nursing students, and recognize their crucial role in strengthening the healthcare system.
“Extending this support will acknowledge their tireless efforts and allow them to pursue their internships with dignity, free from financial distress,” the statement added.
