H&ME forms 4-member panel for enhancement
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 28: In a show of dissatisfaction, Medical interns working across various Medical Colleges in Kashmir today voiced their discontent over the meagre monthly stipends they receive, despite their diligent work in adherence to issued guidelines.
The interns, known as Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs) in Kashmir, revealed that they receive a monthly stipend of Rs 12,500, while their counterparts in Jammu receive nearly Rs 24,000.
Expressing their concerns, one medical intern working in Kashmir, Dr Wasif, stated, “Although they (those in Jammu) used to receive the same amount as us initially, the stipend for Jammu interns was recently increased after their request. It is biased that they are now receiving double the amount, considering our tireless efforts. Moreover, we also incur additional expenses out of our own pockets.”
The interns also said that given the fact they are mostly not provided the accommodation by the colleges, they are left with no option but to either do regular up and down or put up at rented accommodations.
The issue extends beyond IMGs, as Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) in Kashmir have also expressed frustration over the non-payment of their monthly stipends.
Pertinent to mention here, the National Medical Council (NMC) earlier issued a circular directing States and Union Territories to provide stipends to both IMGs and FMGs.
However, the NMC later revised its directives, stating that the determination and implementation of stipend amounts fall under the jurisdiction of the respective authorities governing the institutions, universities, or states.
FMGs in Kashmir alleged that their counterparts in Jammu receive the due amount, equal to that of regular medical interns. “The interns in Jammu made the necessary demand, and their stipends were adjusted to Rs 24,000 for both FMGs and IMGs. However, we are suffering in Kashmir,” lamented one of the FMGs.
They said that they have been working for over a month without receiving any stipend. “Non-payment of stipends to FMGs in Kashmir has been a persistent issue, contrary to the NMC directives, whereas the situation is different in Jammu,” they expressed.
Meanwhile, the Health & Medical Education Department has initiated the formation of a four-member committee. The committee’s mandate is to assess the financial implications of enhancing the stipend for MBBS/BDS interns in various Government Medical and Dental Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir.
An official order issued by the H&ME stated, “A committee has been constituted to determine the financial implications of a reasonable stipend enhancement for MBBS/BDS interns in different Government Medical/Dental Colleges of Jammu & Kashmir.”
The committee comprises members including Director, Finance, H&ME Department; Principals of Government Medical Colleges in Jammu and Srinagar; Director (Coordination) of New Government Medical Colleges; and Principals of Government Dental Colleges in Jammu and Srinagar.
The committee has been given a period of 15 days to submit their recommendations on the matter, in hopes of resolving the ongoing dispute and ensuring equitable stipends for medical interns in J&K.
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