Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 08
Several government medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir have issued show-cause notices to MBBS and BDS interns who took part in an eight-day strike over stipend revision, warning of possible disciplinary action.
The notices, issued as the strike ended on Tuesday, warned that action could include curtailment, temporary suspension or cancellation of internships.
At SKIMS Medical College in Bemina, the principal directed interns who had not attended duty to explain within 24 hours why disciplinary action should not be taken against them.
The notice described participation in the strike as gross indiscipline and professional misconduct under National Medical Commission rules. It also referred to affidavits submitted by interns undertaking not to participate in strikes or acts of indiscipline.
Similar notices were issued by Government Medical College Anantnag, GMC Rajouri and GMC Handwara, according to the source material.
The notices came after interns intensified their protest with a 48-hour hunger strike, saying earlier talks with the government had produced only verbal assurances and demanding a written order on stipend enhancement.
One medical college principal said prolonged strikes could have consequences for doctors later in their careers and that interns may be required to make up missed days under NMC guidelines.
The action drew criticism from the opposition People’s Democratic Party and others.
The interns had been demanding an increase in their monthly stipend, which has remained at Rs 12,300 despite a government committee recommending an increase to Rs 25,000.
