SRINAGAR: For the past eight months, medical interns in Kashmir have been awaiting a stipend hike despite the formation of a committee by the Health and Medical Education Department. Established eight months ago, the committee aimed to address the issue and increase the monthly stipend for interns, currently at a meagre Rs 12,500.
The Daily Excelsior reported that interns across various Medical Colleges in Kashmir, hopeful after the committee’s constitution, now find themselves in despair due to the undue delay. Despite working diligently, often putting in extra hours and performing duties comparable to resident doctors, they receive compensation lower than daily laborer’s.
The Health and Medical Education Department formed a four-member committee in June last year to assess the financial implications of enhancing the stipend for MBBS/BDS interns.
The committee, comprised of members from the Director of Finance, Principals of Government Medical Colleges, Director (Coordination) of New Government Medical Colleges, and Principals of Government Dental Colleges, submitted a report in April recommending a 50 percent increase, equivalent to Rs 26,350 monthly based on the basic pay of a Medical Officer.
However, an unexplained delay has halted progress, leaving interns frustrated. A student at Government Medical College Baramulla expressed disappointment, stating that the government has never shown seriousness about this issue leaving us in limbo for eight months. ”We have been fed up now as no one is listening to us. To whom we will appeal now,’’ he questioned.
Meanwhile, the students appealed to the Secretary of Health and Medical Education, Syed Abid Rasheed to look into the matter so that they could breathe a sigh of relief.
