Examine Bureau | Srinagar:
Intern doctors of the 2021 MBBS batch at SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, began a hunger strike on Monday demanding revision of their internship stipend, making it clear that they would continue the protest until the government issues a formal written order.
The interns said the decision to intensify their agitation followed several rounds of discussions and assurances from the administration which, they maintained, had not resulted in any formal notification on the stipend issue.
In a statement announcing the escalation, the protesting doctors said they were no longer prepared to rely solely on verbal assurances and urged the authorities to formally notify the decision and expedite the process.
The SKIMS Bemina interns are part of a broader agitation by MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir, who have been demanding an increase in the monthly internship stipend to Rs 30,000.
The protesting interns said their demand was aimed at ensuring fair compensation for the duties, responsibilities and workload undertaken by intern doctors during their training period. They appealed to the administration and other concerned authorities to intervene and resolve the matter at the earliest.
The interns said the hunger strike was intended to press for an early resolution while keeping channels of dialogue open. However, they maintained that they would not withdraw the protest solely on the basis of further verbal assurances.
The protesting doctors reiterated their position in clear terms: “No Written Order — No End to the Protest.”
