Talking to reporters the protesting interns said  that their demand has remained pending for a considerable period and have sought a formal government order on the enhancement of the stipend, asserting that verbal assurances alone would not be sufficient to end their agitation.

The development comes a day after a delegation of intern doctors met Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo to discuss the issue and apprise her of the difficulties being faced by interns.

According to representatives who attended the meeting, the government sought time to examine the matter and take a decision. However, the interns said they want the assurance to be translated into a written and formal government order.

The representatives said they would continue their peaceful protest until a concrete decision is taken by the government. They also warned that if their demand is not addressed soon, they may intensify the agitation and resort to a hunger strike.

The intern representatives who participated in the meeting have also appealed to the protesting doctors and the public to rely only on their official statements regarding the outcome of the discussions and avoid circulating unverified information.

AIMSA J&K President Dr Mohammad Momin Khan also sought greater transparency from the government regarding the discussions held with the intern delegation.

“Yesterday, you told the intern doctors’ delegation to wait for one month. Why are you not stating the same thing publicly? Interns and the people of J&K deserve transparency and clarity,” he said.

He requested the Chief Minister to personally look into the matter and ensure that a fair and time-bound resolution is reached.

“A timely decision on your part will not only address a genuine grievance but will also reaffirm the trust of our young doctors and dental graduates in the Government,” Tarigami said in his letter.

The stipend issue has emerged as a major concern among MBBS and BDS interns across J&K, who have been demanding revision of their monthly remuneration. The interns have maintained that despite performing regular clinical duties and contributing to patient care, their stipend does not adequately reflect their workload and the prevailing cost of living.

The protesting interns have made it clear that they are ready to continue their peaceful agitation but want a concrete and written decision from the administration.

Representatives said the decision was taken during a virtual meeting after an ultimatum served to the government expired without any concrete response. The strike will cover all field, block, and district-level NHM and Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP/NTEP) workers across both divisions. Dr. Vikas Sharma, Divisional President of All JKNHMEA Jammu Division, stated that the step became necessary due to the non-resolution of key issues despite repeated assurances. Kashmir Division President Muneer Andrabi and NTEP UT President Musadiq Rafiq Parra emphasized that employees demonstrated immense patience, but the lack of progress left them with no option, calling on all staff to participate peacefully.

Srinagar:The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released the MBBS Seat Matrix for the 2026–27 academic session, directing all medical colleges across the country to ensure admissions are made strictly against the number of seats approved by the Commission.
In an official communication issued by NMC Secretary Dr Raghav Langer, the Commission informed Directors, Principals and Deans of all medical colleges that had submitted applications under the NMC public notice dated December 22, 2025, as well as the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), about the approved undergraduate seat matrix for the upcoming academic year.
According to the communication the NMC stated that the seat matrix has been issued in accordance with a public notice released by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB). However, it clarified that the published seat matrix will remain subject to revision, if required, based on decisions taken by the Appeal Committee or any other competent authority.
The Commission instructed all medical colleges and institutions to strictly adhere to the approved intake capacity and emphasised that no admissions should be made beyond the number of seats authorised for the 2026–27 academic session.
“All Medical Colleges shall strictly ensure that admissions are made only against the approved number of seats for the Academic Year 2026–27,” the communication states.
The NMC also asked the Medical Counselling Committee and other concerned counselling authorities to follow the revised seat matrix while conducting the counselling and admission process.
According to the Commission, the instructions are aimed at ensuring transparency, maintaining uniformity in admissions, and preventing institutions from admitting students beyond their sanctioned capacity.
The communication has urged all medical colleges, institutions and other stakeholders to carefully note the directions issued by the Commission and ensure their strict compliance during the admission process

Srinagar : The Counseling Cell, in partnership with the Cultural Club at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, successfully conducted two online Faculty Upgradation Programmes aimed at enhancing faculty skills in student mentoring, counseling, mental health, emotional well-being, and emotional intelligence.
The inaugural session was led by Prof. RoohieNaaz Mir, who commended the coordinators for their timely initiative. Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia, the Director of NIT Srinagar, underscored the necessity of such faculty development programs in fostering a comprehensive academic environment, highlighting the importance of equipping faculty with both technical and emotional support skills. The workshops, coordinated by Dr. Neeraj Gupta, Dr. Vijay Kumar, Dr. Dinesh Kr. Rajendran, and Aamir Bashir, focused on addressing the psychological and emotional challenges faced by students. The first workshop, titled “Student Mentoring Skills Workshop / Student Mentoring & Counselling,” featured Wasim Rashid Kakroo, a clinical psychologist, who discussed prevalent mental health issues among university students, including anxiety, depression, and academic pressure. Faculty members were trained to recognize early signs of emotional distress and behavioral changes in students. The second workshop, “Mental Well-Being & Emotional Intelligence for Faculty / Mental Health & Well-Being,” included Dr. Devendra Singh Basera, a neuro-psychiatrist, who emphasized the critical role of emotional intelligence (EI) in academia. He argued that academic success is insufficient without effective teaching and leadership skills, which are enhanced by EI. Dr. Basera provided insights into how emotional intelligence contributes to better communication, resilience, and conflict resolution, while also addressing real-world academic challenges faced by faculty. He shared strategies for fostering empathy and psychological safety within educational settings, reinforcing the idea that emotional intelligence is essential for creating supportive academic environments.

New Delhi, Srinagar :In a significant move aimed at strengthening drug regulation and promoting the rational use of medicines, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified an amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, making it mandatory for consumers to produce a valid doctor’s prescription to purchase all syrups, including cough syrups.
The decision comes through the Drugs (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2026, notified by the Ministry on June 9, 2026, and has come into force with immediate effect following its publication in the Official Gazette.
According to the notification, the government has amended Schedule K of the Drugs Rules, 1945, by removing the word “Syrups” from the list of medicines that were previously exempted from certain provisions governing retail sale. As a result, syrups can no longer be sold over the counter without a prescription.
The amendment follows a public consultation process initiated through a draft notification issued in December 2025. The Centre stated that objections and suggestions received from stakeholders and the public were examined before the final rules were notified after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board.
Health experts believe the move is intended to curb the growing trend of self-medication and misuse of liquid formulations, particularly cough syrups. In recent years, concerns have been raised over the indiscriminate use of cough syrups containing ingredients that may cause adverse effects when consumed without medical supervision.
Officials said that requiring a prescription would help ensure that patients receive appropriate diagnosis and treatment rather than relying on self-prescribed medicines for symptoms that could indicate more serious health conditions.
The new rule is also expected to improve monitoring of medicine sales and promote responsible dispensing practices among pharmacists.
With the amendment taking effect, pharmacies across the country will be required to dispense syrups only upon presentation of a valid prescription issued by a registered medical practitioner.
Consumers who previously purchased cough syrups, fever syrups, antibiotic syrups, digestive syrups, and other liquid medications directly from medical stores will now need to consult a doctor before obtaining these medicines.
Pharmacists may face regulatory action if found selling syrups without adhering to the revised provisions.
The Ministry said the amendment forms part of broader efforts to enhance patient safety and ensure the rational use of medicines. Public health experts have repeatedly highlighted the dangers of uncontrolled access to medicines, including antibiotic resistance, delayed diagnosis, drug interactions, and adverse health outcomes.
The latest amendment is expected to bring greater accountability in medicine dispensing practices while encouraging patients to seek professional medical advice before consuming prescription medications.
The notification has been issued under the powers conferred by Sections 12 and 33 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and is now applicable across India