Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is scheduled to meet representatives of MBBS and BDS interns on Friday afternoon to discuss their demand for a revision of the monthly stipend.
The meeting comes amid an indefinite strike by interns across Jammu and Kashmir, who are seeking an increase in their monthly stipend from the existing Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000. The interns began their agitation on August 31, citing the delay in revising the stipend despite the passage of several years.
Five representatives have been nominated to meet the Chief Minister on behalf of the protesting interns. The delegation includes Dr Tasaduk from GMC Srinagar, Dr Akib Javid from GMC Anantnag, Dr Mohammad Shahnawaz Malik and Dr Tanish Mansotra from GMC Jammu, and Dr Faraz from SKIMS.
The representatives are expected to place before Omar Abdullah the interns’ concerns and demand for an upward revision of the stipend, particularly in view of their clinical responsibilities and prevailing living costs.
The interns have maintained that the stipend has not been revised for nearly seven years, despite a substantial rise in living expenses and the responsibilities they undertake in hospitals. During their internship, they are involved in patient care and perform duties in emergency departments, outpatient services and other clinical areas.
Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo has earlier termed the demand for a stipend hike as genuine. She had said that a proposal to increase the monthly stipend to Rs 30,000 was under process and had been referred to the Finance Department for examination of its financial implications.
The ongoing strike has also affected the distribution of clinical duties at several hospitals, with senior residents and postgraduate doctors reportedly taking on additional responsibilities to ensure continuity of patient care.
Friday’s meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for the government and the interns’ representatives to discuss the demand and explore a possible resolution to the ongoing agitation.
