J&K Medical Interns Suspend Strike After Government Assures Stipend Hike Decision
Medical interns across Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday called off their nine-day-old strike after Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Ittoo assured them that a decision on their long-pending demand for a stipend increase would be taken within 30 days.
The deadlock between the protesting interns and the government was resolved following a meeting between representatives of the interns and Ittoo at the Civil Secretariat.
According to the minutes of the meeting, the proposed stipend enhancement will be considered on the basis of recommendations from the Stipend Enhancement Committee, which was constituted in June 2023.
Following the government's assurance, the interns decided to suspend their agitation, saying the move was taken in good faith and in the larger interest of ensuring uninterrupted patient care and academic activities at government medical and dental institutions.
However, the interns clarified that Tuesday's decision amounts only to a temporary suspension of their strike and does not mean they have withdrawn their demand for a stipend hike.
The interns had launched their strike on August 31 after the government failed to respond to their demand for an increase in the monthly stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000.
The agitation intensified on Monday when the interns began a 48-hour hunger strike to press the administration to address their concerns.
Under the understanding reached with the government, a decision on the stipend hike is expected within 30 days, based on the recommendations of the Stipend Enhancement Committee.
The interns are now expected to monitor the government's action on the issue. If no decision is taken within the stipulated period, they could reconsider their agitation.
The dispute has brought renewed attention to stipend levels for medical and dental interns in Jammu and Kashmir and their demands for improved financial support during their internship period.
with inputs from PTI
