Srinagar, Sep 8: Medical interns across Jammu and Kashmir have agreed to call off their strike after a meeting with Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena (Masood) Itoo, with the government assuring that the long-pending demand for enhancement of their monthly stipend will be resolved within 30 days.
According to an official record note issued by the Personal Section of the Minister, a delegation of medical interns, representing various medical colleges of J&K, met the Minister on September 4 and September 9 to press for a revision of their stipend structure.
The delegation was also attended by the Principal of Government Medical College, Srinagar, and the Deputy Director Planning, representing the Director Health Services, Kashmir.
During the meeting, the delegation apprised the Minister of the existing stipend structure and argued for a suitable revision, citing the nature of their duties, workload and responsibilities within the healthcare system.
The Minister, chairing the meeting, gave the delegation a patient hearing and acknowledged that their concerns “deserve due consideration,” the note states. She further assured them that the government has remained mindful of issues concerning medical interns and sensitive to their legitimate concerns.
The Minister informed the delegation that the matter was already under the government’s consideration and that a committee had been constituted to examine the issue comprehensively. She said the constitution of the committee reflected the seriousness with which the government was addressing the matter and its intent to arrive at a considered and appropriate decision.
The note refers to the Stipend Enhancement Committee constituted vide Government Order No. 538-JK(HME) of 2023, dated June 27, 2023.
It was observed during the meeting that the matter needed to be brought to a logical conclusion “expeditiously and without avoidable delay,” so that the interns’ academic and professional responsibilities are not adversely affected and hospital services and patient care continue uninterrupted.
Following detailed deliberations, it was decided that the matter shall be finalised within a period of 30 days, on the basis of the recommendations of the Stipend Enhancement Committee and keeping in view the legitimate interests and concerns of the medical interns.
Strike called off
In view of the assurances given, the medical interns agreed to call off their strike forthwith, in the larger interest of patient care and to safeguard their own academic and professional interests, the record note states.
The proceedings were recorded and signed by Peerzada Zahoor Ahmad, JKAS, Officer on Special Duty to the Minister for Health & Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education, and Social Welfare Department, J&K, and dated September 8, 2026.
