Jammu, August 31: Protests have intensified among MBBS and BDS intern doctors in Jammu and Kashmir, who are demanding an increase in their pending stipend. Currently, they receive a monthly stipend of only ₹12,300, which is significantly lower compared to many other states and Union Territories in India. The doctors are urging the government to raise the stipend to ₹30,000 per month and ensure regular revisions in the future.
The protesting doctors claim they have repeatedly presented their demands to the administration and utilized all available legal and administrative channels. However, nearly three years have passed without a final decision on their request. According to the doctors, the file and proposal related to the stipend increase have been pending for an extended period.
One intern doctor stated that the initial proposal recommended raising the stipend from ₹12,300 to approximately ₹26,000. This proposal has been stagnant for almost three years, with no concrete action taken. They emphasized that their demand is no longer limited to merely pushing the file forward; they are now insisting on a stipend increase to ₹30,000.
Dr. Tanush highlighted two primary demands. The first is to raise the current stipend of ₹12,300 to ₹30,000, ensuring that intern doctors in Jammu and Kashmir receive comparable compensation to their counterparts in other states and Union Territories. The second demand is for regular and timely revisions of the stipend.
Dr. Tanush pointed out that inflation is continuously rising, necessitating periodic adjustments to the stipend. He mentioned that if the government establishes a system for regular reviews, future junior doctors would not have to resort to protests.
He noted that the doctors initially made every effort to resolve the issue through dialogue and administrative channels. Meetings were held with several officials to present their demands, but when no solution emerged, they resorted to protests as a last resort.
Meanwhile, Dr. Shahnawaz, another protesting doctor, appealed to the Health Minister, Lieutenant Governor, and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir for intervention. He expressed concern that it is troubling for doctors to have to sit on the streets for their legitimate demands.
Dr. Shahnawaz cited examples from other states, stating that stipends in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were previously higher than those in Jammu and Kashmir, and have since been increased further. Therefore, intern doctors in Jammu and Kashmir should also receive a stipend at a comparable level.
The protesting doctors argue that the patient load in Jammu and Kashmir is substantial, and the responsibilities on doctors are significant. Despite this, the stipend provided to intern doctors is disproportionately low compared to their hard work and responsibilities.
They expressed that they do not prefer to protest. They want to serve patients and take their duties seriously. Currently, they should be caring for patients in wards, OPDs, and hospitals, but due to the government’s inaction on their demands, they have been compelled to abandon their duties to protest.
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