Srinagar, Oct 20: A few hours after MBBS and BDS interns of J&K announced a fresh strike demanding enhancement of their stipend, reports of J&K government having approved the hike started doing rounds.
The interns’ association however said the strike will continue till a formal order is issued by the government.
As per reports J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has approved doubling the monthly stipend of MBBS and BDS interns in Jammu and Kashmir to Rs 25,000.
No order in this regard was issued till this report was filed.
The absence of a formal government order has left the MBBS and BDS interns’ indefinite strike unresolved.
The reported approval comes amid renewed protests by interns, who resumed their agitation on Tuesday.
This was announced after the expiry of a written government assurance to finalise the stipend enhancement within 30 days.
The proposed revision would raise the monthly stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 25,000, an increase of Rs 12,700.
The interns have maintained that they will not call off their strike until the government issues the official order.
All India Medical Students Association insisted that approval on file cannot substitute for a formal administrative decision.
The interns had earlier been assured that the matter would be finalised within 30 days, as recorded in government notes dated September 4 and 9.
However, the deadline passed without an order, prompting them to resume their agitation.
The Association’s J&K Joint Secretary said the students welcomed the decision, but a formal order would be awaited before the strike is called off.
On Monday evening, MBBS and BDS interns held candlelight marches at Government Medical Colleges and SKIMS Medical College Hospital, Bemina.
They were carrying placards highlighting the government’s failure to meet its commitment.
A delegation of interns also met senior Finance and Health and Medical Education officials at the Civil Secretariat.
The meeting failed to provide a clear timeline for issuance of the order, according to an AIMSA representative.
The interns have been demanding an increase to Rs 30,000 per month.
They have cited the prolonged stagnation in their stipend and rising living costs.
The reported approval by the Chief Minister signals movement on the demand.
However, the present strike is set to affect healthcare delivery across Level II and Level III hospitals of J&K.
The interns have warned that if the delay continues they would consider a hunger strike.
The previous strike of interns lasted 9 days, from August 31 to September 8 this year.
The strike had been called off after Health and Medical Education Department had assured the striking students that their demands would be met in 30 days.
