Maharashtra Intern Doctors Demand Stipend Increase, Set Ultimatum for Government Action

Mumbai, October 22 (Daily Kiran) : Intern doctors in Maharashtra are ramping up their protests over stipend increases. Members of the Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI) demonstrated at the renowned J.J. Hospital in Mumbai, demanding that their current monthly stipend be raised from ₹18,000 to ₹30,000.

Protesters argue that the stipend for interns in Maharashtra is significantly lower than in other states. For instance, interns in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and several other regions earn around ₹25,000 or more. They believe that given the high cost of living in a metropolitan area like Mumbai, their current stipend is unjust.

This issue is not new. Interns have been raising it with ministers, state officials, hospital administrations, and deans for several months. They are urging authorities to take their demands seriously and reach a resolution promptly.

Dr. Raman Pawar, ASMI’s General Secretary, elaborated on the situation. He discussed the demand for a stipend increase, conversations with hospital administration, and the outline for statewide protests. He emphasized that this issue has persisted since 2024 when the initial demand for a ₹30,000 stipend was made, but no action was taken by the government at that time.

In August, the interns submitted letters to various officials, including the Education Minister, Principal Secretary, Deputy Chief Minister, and Chief Minister. They have consistently submitted letters from August through October, seeking a response from the government.

Dr. Pawar explained that in September, they submitted another request letter and allowed a grace period of 15 to 20 days for a government reply. When no response came, they followed up with another letter on October 5, which they have documented. Despite two meetings with officials, they received only assurances without any concrete decisions, leaving the matter unresolved.

He clarified that the protests are not limited to Mumbai. “This demonstration is happening throughout Maharashtra. Interns across the state are participating in this movement,” he stated.

Regarding discussions with hospital administration, Dr. Pawar mentioned that they have sent three letters to their dean over the past three months. The dean has forwarded a proposal to the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), to which they have sent around six letters. He questioned why a decision has not been made, especially now that the matter has reached the Finance Ministry.

Currently, the interns are conducting silent protests. Dr. Pawar warned that if the government does not take substantial action by November 1, they will initiate a strike starting November 2, although emergency services will continue during this time.