Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Feb 4: Despite the establishment of a committee by the Health and Medical Education Department 8 months ago, aimed at resolving the issue, medical interns in Kashmir continue to receive a meager monthly stipend of Rs 12,500.
The interns working in various Medical Colleges across Kashmir said that the constitution of the committee had filled them with the hope of getting an adequate stipend at par with their counterparts in other parts of the country. However, an undue delay has plunged them into despair.
Expressing their frustration, an intern from GMC Anantnag said: “We work diligently, often putting in extra hours, performing every duty of a resident doctor, yet our compensation is lower than that of daily labourers.”
To address the concern, a four-member committee was formed by the Health & Medical Education Department in June last year. An official order stated: “A committee has been constituted to determine the financial implications of a reasonable stipend enhancement for MBBS/BDS interns.”
The committee comprised members from the Director of 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.
An official said despite the committee submitting a report in April recommending a 50% increase, equivalent to Rs 26,350 monthly, based on the basic pay of a Medical Officer, there has been an unexplained delay. “For some unknown reason, the matter has remained stalled with no progress,” he said.
A student at Government Medical College Baramulla said they anticipated an enhancement with the order, but the prolonged delay is causing despair among students.” Although the current administration is usually prompt, this matter has inexplicably lingered,” he said.
Efforts to reach the Secretary of Health and Medical Education, Syed Abid Rasheed, for comments were unsuccessful.
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