Srinagar, Aug 31: MBBS and BDS interns on Monday held peaceful demonstrations at Government Medical Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir and at SKIMS Bemina, pressing the government to revise the stipend paid to them during their compulsory internship.
The interns said the existing stipend was inadequate considering the workload, long working hours and responsibilities they undertake during their internship period.
Demonstrations were held at several medical institutions across the Union Territory, with protesting interns urging the administration and concerned authorities to take up the issue and initiate steps for revision of the stipend.
The interns said they had been seeking an increase in the stipend for a long time and called for a decision that would take into account the nature and demands of their work in government healthcare institutions.
They appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo to intervene and address their concerns.
The protests remained peaceful, with interns maintaining that they would continue to raise the demand through democratic and peaceful means until the government takes a favourable decision.
The interns said they hoped the administration would initiate dialogue with their representatives and resolve the issue at the earliest.
