: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti on Tuesday joined protesting medical interns at Government Medical College in Srinagar, and backed their demand to raise their monthly stipend from ₹12,300 to ₹30,000.
Mufti said that it is deeply concerning that medical interns across J&K continued to receive one of the lowest stipends in the country, despite their heavy workload. “Interns are routinely required to perform duties extending from 12 to 48 hours and, across J&K, are often denied even basic holidays and adequate leave. The demand for a ₹30,000 stipend is both reasonable and justified,” she said. She said several states have already revised internship stipends, citing Odisha and West Bengal, which provide around ₹45,000, and Uttar Pradesh, which has increased its stipend from ₹12,000 to ₹25,000.
Mufti said the government must seriously reconsider its priorities, arguing, “It is difficult to justify denying a modest and legitimate increase to young doctors who are working around the clock to sustain the public healthcare system.”
On Monday, health minister Sakina Itoo acknowledged the demand of the interns and said, “The file has gone to the finance department for its financial implications. It is under process.”
{{/usCountry}}On Monday, health minister Sakina Itoo acknowledged the demand of the interns and said, “The file has gone to the finance department for its financial implications. It is under process.”
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