Srinagar, Aug 31: Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Monday said the demand of MBBS interns for an increase in their monthly stipend was genuine and that a proposal for the hike was already under process.
Itoo said the government was considering increasing the monthly stipend from the existing Rs 12,000 to Rs 30,000 and that the file had been forwarded to the Finance Department for examination of its financial implications.
“We have met them. After meeting them, we have processed their file. The file has been sent to the Finance Department for the financial implications. It is under process,” Itoo said.
She acknowledged the interns’ concerns, saying rising inflation had created a need to revise the stipend.
“It is their genuine demand. We do not say that it is wrong. Because these days there is a lot of inflation. There is a need to increase it. We ourselves agree,” the minister said.
Itoo said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was also aware of the issue and the government was already working towards addressing it.
“The Chief Minister has also said this. The government is already working on this. The Health Department is already working on this,” she said.
Her remarks came after MBBS and BDS interns staged peaceful demonstrations at Government Medical Colleges and other medical institutions across Jammu and Kashmir, including SKIMS Bemina, seeking revision of their internship stipend.
The interns have been demanding an increase in the stipend, citing their workload, long working hours and responsibilities during the compulsory internship period.
While acknowledging the demand, Itoo said the interns did not need to resort to a strike as the matter was already being processed by the government.
“They did not need to go on strike. It is under process without it. I do not think it is right to go on strike. It affects their patient care,” she said.
The minister’s assurance comes as interns continue to press for an early decision on the proposed stipend revision.(KNS)
