Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Health Minister Challenges Jagan Over Junior Doctors’ Stipend Demand
Junior doctors are asking the government for more money while they train and work in hospitals.
Former chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy supported their protest.
Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav criticised Jagan over that support.
Yadav said Jagan’s earlier government had decided not to give doctors a 15% increase.
Instead, that government recommended smaller yearly increases of 3% to 4%.
The current government says it will raise interns’ stipends by 10%.
It also plans to raise other junior doctors’ stipends by 3% each year.
Yadav said junior doctors are important because they help care for patients.
Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav criticised former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for supporting junior doctors’ stipend protest.
Yadav said the previous YSRC government’s November 28, 2022 memo rejected a 15% stipend hike.
The memo recommended annual stipend increases of 3% to 4%, based on the Central government’s annual dearness allowance.
The current government agreed to raise interns’ stipends by 10% and others’ stipends by 3% annually.
Yadav said Dr NTR Vaidya Seva spending reached Rs 3,804 crore, benefiting 14.27 lakh patients.
- Who
- Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, and junior doctors.
- What
- A political dispute over junior doctors’ demand for a higher stipend and the government’s proposed increases.
- When
- The minister made his statement on Tuesday; he referred to a previous government memo dated November 28, 2022.
- Where
- The statement was issued in Vijayawada.
- Why
- Junior doctors are seeking a stipend hike, while Yadav says the previous government had rejected a 15% increase and adopted a smaller annual-increase formula.
Government’s Position
Jagan and Junior Doctors’ Position
Stipend increase
Government’s Position
Satya Kumar Yadav said the previous government had rejected a 15% hike and said the current government would provide a 10% increase for interns and 3% annually for others.
Jagan and Junior Doctors’ Position
Jagan Mohan Reddy supported junior doctors who were staging a protest demanding a stipend hike.
Responsibility for the earlier decision
Government’s Position
Yadav challenged Jagan to deny that the November 28, 2022 memo was issued during his government and accused him of misleading the public.
Jagan and Junior Doctors’ Position
The article reports Jagan’s support for the protest but does not include his response to Yadav’s allegations.
Healthcare priorities
Government’s Position
Yadav said the government was sympathetic to junior doctors and highlighted increased spending and patient coverage under Dr NTR Vaidya Seva.
Jagan and Junior Doctors’ Position
Junior doctors’ protest indicates that they consider the proposed stipend levels insufficient, though the article does not give their detailed explanation.
- Previous stipend proposal
- A November 28, 2022 memo reportedly rejected a 15% hike for junior doctors.
- Earlier recommendation
- The memo recommended annual increases of 3% to 4%.
- Basis for increases
- The Central government’s annual dearness allowance was proposed as the basis.
- Intern stipend increase
- The current government agreed to a 10% increase.
- Other junior doctors’ increase
- The government agreed to a 3% annual increase.
- Dr NTR Vaidya Seva spending
- Annual expenditure was reported at Rs 3,804 crore.
- Patients covered
- Benefits were reportedly extended to 14.27 lakh patients.