Jammu, Oct 20 : The MBBS and BDS intern doctors on Monday resumed their indefinite strike at Government Medical College (GMC) in Jammu, demanding an increase in their monthly stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000.
The protesting interns, under the banner of the Intern Doctors and Medical Graduates Association, staged a demonstration against the government, seeking fulfilment of their long-pending demand for a stipend hike.
Holding banners and placards in support of their demand, the association said intern doctors at government medical colleges across Jammu and Kashmir had been receiving the same monthly stipend for nearly seven years despite rising living costs.
The interns had earlier staged a nine-day protest and temporarily called it off on September 8 after receiving a written assurance from Health Minister Sakeena Itoo that the proposed stipend enhancement would be finalised within 30 days.
However, the promised government order was not issued even after the deadline expired, prompting the interns to resume their agitation, they said.
Speaking to reporters, intern doctor Dr Tanish said the association had waited for 42 days after receiving the assurance, but no order had been issued.
He said the interns had resumed their protest to press the authorities to honour their commitment and address their long-pending demand.
Another protesting intern, Dr Sukesh, said the interns had earlier staged a nine-day protest after which they were assured that the stipend hike would be finalised within a month.
“Yesterday, we were threatened and told, ‘Do whatever you want to do’,” he alleged, while describing the developments that led to the resumption of the agitation.
The stipend issue has triggered protests among MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir since late August, with the doctors demanding that their monthly remuneration be raised to Rs 30,000.
Similar protests were held at Doda, Rajouri and Kathua medical colleges.
The protesting interns have warned of intensifying their agitation, including resorting to a hunger strike, if the government fails to act on their demand.
