Srinagar:The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Monday urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally intervene in the long-pending demand of MBBS and BDS interns for enhancement of their monthly internship stipend, warning that further delay could escalate the ongoing protests and impact healthcare services across the Union Territory.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, the Association said medical interns at Government Medical Colleges and other major healthcare institutions have been holding peaceful protests over the issue. The interns are presently receiving a monthly stipend of ₹12,300 and are demanding its enhancement to ₹30,000.
The protesting interns have announced suspension of services from August 31, 2026, with an indefinite strike likely if the issue remains unresolved.
JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami termed the demand genuine and justified, stating that interns form an important component of the public healthcare system. During their compulsory internship, they perform duties across wards, OPDs, emergency departments, ICUs and operation theatres, besides assisting senior doctors and attending night and emergency duties.
Khuehami said interns often work for extended hours, with shifts in some cases stretching up to 24–36 hours, while continuing to shoulder significant clinical responsibilities. He said their contribution should not be viewed merely as academic training, as interns provide essential support in patient care and hospital functioning.
The Association maintained that the existing stipend of ₹12,300 per month is inadequate considering the rising cost of living, demanding working conditions and responsibilities undertaken by medical interns. It said fair remuneration is a matter of dignity, fairness and recognition for young doctors contributing to public healthcare.
JKSA further pointed out that the issue has remained pending despite government-level consideration. A government-constituted committee was formed in June 2023 to examine the matter and reportedly recommended increasing the stipend to ₹26,350 per month, with the recommendation reported in January 2025. However, the revised stipend has reportedly not yet been implemented.
Dr. Wasim Khan, President of JKMSA, the medical wing of JKSA, said interns have legitimate reasons to question the prolonged delay, particularly after the matter had already been examined by a government committee. He said the slogan “7 years of neglect must end today” reflects the frustration that has built up among interns over years of representations and delayed action.
The Association also supported the demand for implementation of pending Finance Committee recommendations and consideration of a stipend of ₹30,000 per month, citing prevailing rates in other parts of the country, inflation and the increasing cost of living.
Dr. Khan expressed concern that an indefinite strike could place additional pressure on already overburdened hospitals and ultimately affect patients. He called for immediate dialogue between the government and representatives of the protesting interns to resolve the matter amicably.
JKSA has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally intervene, direct the concerned departments to engage with the protesting interns without further delay, expedite the implementation of pending committee recommendations and sympathetically consider their demand for a ₹30,000 monthly stipend.
