Srinagar: A delegation of the Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Wednesday met protesting veterinary students in Kashmir and urged the government to address their long-pending demand for enhancement of the internship stipend at SKUAST-Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir.
The delegation was headed by JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami and included National Spokesperson Dr. Zubair Reshi, Central Kashmir Coordinator Sameer Yousuf, and other members of the association. The delegation held detailed discussions with the protesting students, listened to their concerns and assured them that their genuine demands would be taken up with the concerned authorities.
The veterinary students have been protesting for nearly three years, seeking revision and enhancement of their internship stipend. According to the students, a formal proposal for enhancement has remained pending with the Finance Department since 2023 despite repeated representations and follow-ups.
At present, veterinary interns at SKUAST-Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir receive ₹6,000 per month for six months and ₹9,000 per month for the remaining six months, with the additional ₹3,000 during the latter period being contributed by ICAR. The students have pointed out that the stipend remains substantially lower than the rates offered at several veterinary institutions across the country.
Khuehami said the issue deserves urgent attention as veterinary internship is a compulsory component of professional training and involves substantial clinical and field responsibilities. Interns undertake clinical duties, field visits, animal-health services, practical procedures, emergency responsibilities and community-level veterinary work, often involving extended working hours.
“Students pursuing professional education should not have to repeatedly protest for a basic and rational stipend. Their demand is not for preferential treatment but for a fair and reasonable revision in line with prevailing practices in other veterinary institutions,” hensaid.
The association also took note of the students’ reference to a Veterinary Council of India communication dated 19 May 2026, which, according to the students, reflects that the matter of stipend enhancement has already been taken up with the concerned authorities.
Association urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally intervene and direct the concerned departments, including the Finance Department and the two agricultural universities, to examine the matter and arrive at a time-bound decision.
Khuehami said that an issue which has remained pending since 2023 should not continue to move between departments and administrative files without a decision.
“Veterinary students are future animal-health professionals and an important part of J&K’s agricultural and rural economy. Their internship is not merely an academic formality; it is hands-on professional training involving clinical, field and community responsibilities. The government must ensure that their compensation reflects the nature of this mandatory training,” he said.
JKSA further urged the government to convene a meeting of all stakeholders, including representatives of the protesting students, SKUAST-Jammu, SKUAST-Kashmir and the Finance Department, so that the matter can be resolved through dialogue rather than prolonged protests.
National Spokesperson of JKSA Dr Zubair Reshi said it would remain in touch with the students and concerned departments until the issue receives due consideration.
He reiterated that the concerns of students from professional and technical institutions must receive timely institutional attention, particularly when proposals have already been under consideration for a considerable period.
