2 days ago
J&K Medical Interns Strike Over Stipend, Demand Rs 30,000
Medical interns in Jammu and Kashmir have stopped working to protest their monthly stipend.
They currently receive Rs 12,300, which they describe as about Rs 400 each day.
They want the stipend increased to Rs 30,000.
The interns say they help in emergencies, wards, outpatient departments and medical procedures.
They also say they work night shifts, long shifts and sometimes in rural areas.
They believe their stipend has not increased for almost seven years.
They say a possible increase was discussed but has not officially started.
They will continue the strike until the government gives them a written order, according to the protesters.
MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir began an indefinite strike over their Rs 12,300 monthly stipend.
The interns are seeking Rs 30,000, citing inflation, long hours, night shifts, emergency duties and rural postings.
They said the stipend has remained unchanged for nearly seven years despite repeated representations and protests.
A 2023 committee reportedly recommended about Rs 25,000, while a later proposal mentioned roughly Rs 26,300; the file remains pending, according to protesters.
Interns compared their stipend with higher figures elsewhere, including Rs 44,319 in Odisha and Rs 43,099 in West Bengal, and demanded a written government order.
- Who
- MBBS and BDS interns at medical colleges across Jammu and Kashmir, with support from PDP MLA Waheed Para.
- What
- They launched an indefinite strike and dharnas, demanding that their monthly stipend rise from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000.
- Where
- Protests were held outside SKIMS Bemina and GMC Srinagar, as well as at locations in Jammu.
- When
- The strike began on Monday, August 31; the reports do not specify the year.
- Why
- The interns cited a stipend unchanged for nearly seven years, inflation, demanding clinical duties and a large disparity with stipends reported in other states.
Interns and Supporters
Government Position
Fair stipend
Interns and Supporters
The interns say Rs 12,300 is inadequate for their emergency, ward, outpatient, procedural, night-shift and rural-posting duties. They want Rs 30,000 and cite higher stipends in other states.
Government Position
The reports do not provide an official government response on the requested Rs 30,000 stipend.
Status of revision
Interns and Supporters
The interns say a proposed increase to about Rs 25,000 or Rs 26,300 has not been implemented and are demanding a written order rather than verbal assurances.
Government Position
The reports say officials directed the interns to different departments, but they do not explain why the file remains pending.
Use of a strike
Interns and Supporters
The interns say they were compelled to stop work after repeated representations and an absence of a clear response.
Government Position
No government position on the strike or its effect on hospital services is provided in the reports.
Key facts
- Current stipend
- Rs 12,300 per month, described by protesters as about Rs 400 per day.
- Requested stipend
- Rs 30,000 per month.
- Strike status
- Indefinite, continuing until the demand is accepted and formally notified, according to the interns.
- Reported proposed revision
- A 2023 committee reportedly recommended about Rs 25,000 for 2025-26; a later figure of about Rs 26,300 was mentioned in the 2026 Assembly session.
- Highest cited comparison
- Odisha: Rs 44,319 per month, according to figures displayed by the protesters.
- Other cited comparisons
- West Bengal: Rs 43,099; Assam: Rs 35,000; Karnataka: Rs 30,000; Kerala: Rs 27,300.
- Government response
- The reports say the interns had not received a clear response or written assurance and that the revision file remained pending.
Quotes
An unnamed intern
An intern discussing the stipend demand and working conditions in government medical colleges
“Our stipend has remained at around Rs 12,300 for seven years. In several other states, interns are getting between Rs 25,000 and Rs 45,000. We are performing the same duties, including 24-hour and night shifts and rural postings, but are being paid only around Rs 400 a day.”
theprint.in
telegraphindia.com
indianexpress.com
“Sometimes we are told the file has been forwarded to the chief minister, while at other times we are told it is with the Finance Department. We are being made to run from one office to another”
indianexpress.com
Waheed Para
PDP MLA from Pulwama
“They save lives at 3 am. They run toward emergencies while the rest of us run away. They carry the weight of patients’ survival on shoulders barely out of medical school, through sleepless nights, relentless wards, and responsibilities no salary reflects.”
theprint.in
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Indefinite Strike By J&K Medical Interns Over Lowest Stipend, Demand Parity With National Averages
‘Rs 400 a day’: J-K medical interns strike over low stipend, seek hike to Rs 30,000
‘Rs 400 a day’: J&K medical interns strike over low stipend, seek hike to Rs 30,000
Jammu and Kashmir MBBS, BDS interns launch indefinite strike over low stipend, seek hike to Rs 30,000
J&K MBBS, BDS Interns Begin Indefinite Strike Over Stipend; Demand Hike To Rs 30,000
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