Srinagar, Oct 5: With the one-month period given by the Jammu and Kashmir Government to finalize the enhancement of the stipend for MBBS and BDS interns nearing its deadline, attention has now shifted to the government’s next move on the long-pending demand.
The interns had called off their strike on September 8 last month after Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo assured their representatives that the issue would be finalised within 30 days on the basis of the recommendations of the Stipend Enhancement Committee. The assurance followed an eight-day agitation by interns across government medical colleges and hospitals in J&K.
The interns are seeking an increase in their monthly stipend from the existing Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000. The government’s commitment, however, was to finalise the matter within the stipulated period; it did not itself amount to an immediate approval of the demanded amount.
The administrative process has continued since then. The Finance Department, in a communication dated Sep 15, asked the Health and Medical Education Department to examine the interns’ demand for enhancement of the stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000 and take further necessary action as per rules.
The government’s 30-day assurance is now approaching its Oct 9 deadline. Intern representatives have said they are awaiting a formal government order and implementation of the promised enhancement.
The interns have also indicated that failure to fulfil the commitment within the stipulated timeframe could lead to renewed agitation. They have announced that they would begin an indefinite hunger strike from Oct 10 if the government does not issue orders on the stipend enhancement by Oct 9.
For now, the focus remains on whether the government will finalize the matter within the timeline given to the interns and issue the formal order they have been seeking. [KNT]
