J-K MBBS, BDS Interns Begin Indefinite Strike, Demand Rs 30,000 Stipend

JAMMU, Aug 31: MBBS and BDS interns across medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday began an indefinite strike over the low monthly stipend, demanding its enhancement from the existing Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000.

The protesting interns staged dharnas in Jammu and said the stipend had remained unchanged for nearly seven years despite repeated representations and protests. They said the amount had failed to keep pace with inflation and was substantially lower than stipends being paid to interns in several other states.

Dr Shahnawaz, one of the protesting interns, said MBBS and BDS interns across J-K had joined the agitation over the long-pending demand.

“Our stipend has remained at around Rs 12,300 for seven years. In several other states, interns are getting between Rs 25,000 and Rs 45,000. We are performing the same duties, including 24-hour and night shifts and rural postings, but are being paid only around Rs 400 a day,” he said.

He said interns were involved in emergency duties and assisted doctors in OPDs, wards, procedures and other hospital services.

“Despite performing regular duties and handling a substantial workload, we continue to receive only Rs 12,300 a month. This is unjust,” an intern said.

Dr Abhinav Bhat, another protestor, said the interns would continue their indefinite dharna until the government issued a written order accepting their demand.

“We are on an indefinite strike and will continue until our demand is fulfilled. We want a written order, not merely an assurance,” he said.

Bhat said a committee constituted by the Health and Medical Education Department in 2023 had recommended increasing the stipend to around Rs 25,000 for 2025-26.

He said the matter was subsequently raised during the 2026 Assembly session, where a proposed stipend of around Rs 26,300 was mentioned, but the file was yet to be cleared.

The interns alleged that they had not received a clear response regarding the status of the proposal and were being referred from one department to another.

According to comparative figures displayed by the protesting interns, Odisha has the highest monthly stipend at Rs 44,319, followed by West Bengal at Rs 43,099 and Assam at Rs 35,000.

Karnataka pays Rs 30,000, while Kerala offers Rs 27,300 and Delhi and Meghalaya Rs 26,300. Telangana provides Rs 25,900, while Arunachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh offer Rs 25,000 each.

The interns said J-K’s Rs 12,300 stipend placed the Union Territory at the bottom of their comparison.

They said they perform duties in emergency departments, OPDs, wards and other clinical areas, including night shifts and rural postings, while receiving a stipend that has remained unchanged for years.

The protestors said they would continue the strike until the government formally notified an enhanced stipend of Rs 30,000.

“Same work, same dedication and fair stipend” is the message displayed on their protest banners. (Agencies)