Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 12: The MBBS interns from various Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) across Jammu and Kashmir today demanded the implementation of a stipend hike recommended by a committee constituted by the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department.
According to the interns, the H&ME Department had formed a committee under Government Order No. 538-JK (HME) in June 2023, which recommended increasing the monthly stipend to Rs 26,350, in line with National Medical Commission (NMC) norms.
The interns said the committee submitted its report in August 2023. However, the proposal has been pending with the Finance Department since January 2024, with no further progress.
In this regard, a delegation of MBBS interns met with the Deputy Chief Minister, the Advisor to the Chief Minister, and the Health Minister, seeking immediate resolution of their long-pending demand.
Currently, MBBS interns in J&K receive Rs 12,300 per month-a figure last revised in January 2019.
The interns submitted a detailed memorandum, emphasizing the urgent need to implement the revised stipend structure as recommended by the official committee.
The delegation said the Health Minister acknowledged the heavy workload borne by MBBS interns and described the stipend hike demand as “genuine and justified.”
However, she cited an “administrative roadblock” that has delayed progress.
According to the interns, the Health Minister informed them that the Finance Department had linked approval of the stipend hike to an increase in MBBS course fees-a move she firmly opposed in the interest of medical students in J&K.
The minister, as per the delegation, said that imposing a fee hike would be unfair to future MBBS students.
“The Health Minister has clearly communicated to the Finance Department that no fee hike should be imposed on MBBS students in exchange for the stipend revision,” said Dr. Manaan, one of the representatives.
He added: “She assured us that the proposal would be resubmitted without any linkage to a fee increase, and that she is personally monitoring the matter.”
The delegation also met with the Advisor to the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister, both of whom expressed support and termed the demand genuine.
“They acknowledged the critical role played by interns in daily hospital operations and called for expedited approval of the revised stipend structure,” the delegation stated.
Citing widening disparities with other states and mounting financial stress, the interns have urged the Chief Minister to personally intervene.
“Since the Finance Department comes under the Chief Minister’s purview, we humbly request his urgent intervention to grant budgetary approval for the stipend hike. It would bring immense relief and long-overdue recognition to interns who are at the frontline of patient care,” said another delegation member.
The interns expressed confidence that with the combined support of the Health Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Advisor, and the Chief Minister’s personal intervention, “the proposal for stipend revision will soon be approved-ensuring fairness and dignity for the future doctors of J&K.”
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