Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Aug 31
MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir began an indefinite strike on Monday demanding an increase in their monthly stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000.
The interns said the stipend had remained unchanged for about seven years despite repeated representations.
Protests were held at SKIMS Bemina, GMC Srinagar and medical institutions in Jammu and other districts.
The interns said they work in emergency departments, outpatient departments, wards and operation theatres and undertake night shifts and rural postings.
They said the current stipend amounts to about Rs 400 a day and is below payments made to interns in several other states. Protesters cited stipends of Rs 44,319 in Odisha, Rs 43,099 in West Bengal and Rs 35,000 in Assam.
The interns said a committee constituted by the Health and Medical Education Department in 2023 had recommended an increase.
They said a figure of about Rs 26,300 was also mentioned during the 2026 Assembly session, but no revised payment had been notified.
The protesters said the strike would continue until the government issued a written order on the stipend.
They said emergency services were continuing, although hospital operations had been affected by the strike.
