Srinagar, Oct 20: Medical interns in Jammu and Kashmir will continue their indefinite strike until the government issues a formal order enhancing their monthly stipend to Rs 25,000, despite Chief Minister Omar Abdullah approving the long-pending demand.
The All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA) has welcomed the chief minister’s decision but said an announcement alone would not be enough to call off the protest, which has been centred on demands for a revision of the stipend.
Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, AIMSA president, told Kashmir Convener that the interns would not withdraw their agitation on the basis of verbal assurances.
“The demand remains unchanged: no written order, no end to the protest,” he said.
Dr Mohammad Akib Javid, the J&K representative of MBBS and BDS interns and AIMSA joint secretary, thanked Abdullah for approving the increase but said the strike would continue until the official order was issued and made public.
“We sincerely thank Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for approving the enhancement of our monthly stipend. However, our indefinite strike will continue until the official government order is issued,” Javid said.
He said the interns had been informed that the order could not be issued on Tuesday because of a holiday and was expected on Wednesday. The interns were prepared to wait until then, he said, but would call off the strike only after the notification was issued.
Javid said earlier assurances on revising the stipend had failed to translate into implementation, leaving the interns with little choice but to continue their agitation.
“The deadline mentioned in the previous written assurance has already expired. Despite several meetings and promises, we have been left waiting for the implementation of our legitimate demand,” he said.
“An announcement is a welcome step, but official implementation is what brings this struggle to its conclusion,” he added.
The proposed revision would raise the monthly stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 25,000, an increase of Rs 12,700, or more than 103 per cent. The Health and Medical Education Department has been asked to issue the necessary orders.
Health and Education Minister Sakina Itoo also welcomed the decision, describing it as an important step towards addressing the financial concerns of medical and dental interns.
In a social media post, Itoo said Abdullah had approved the increase and that the Health Department had been asked to issue the necessary orders immediately.
The interns have been demanding a revision of their stipend, citing stagnant payments, rising living costs and the demanding nature of their compulsory clinical duties.
Notably, The government’s formal notification is now key to determining whether the indefinite strike will be called off on Wednesday.
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