Junior docs seek stipend on a par with Chandigarh

MBBS interns at Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals in Amritsar, Patiala and Faridkot have demanded that the Punjab government should bring their stipend on

MBBS interns at Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals in Amritsar, Patiala and Faridkot have demanded that the Punjab government should bring their stipend on a par with that paid in Chandigarh.

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In both places, the interns were being paid Rs 9,000 a month, but with they being required to contribute in the fight against the covid-19 pandemic, both the governments have increased their payout. Chandigarh has doubled it to Rs 18,000 a month; Punjab has said that the stipend will be hiked by 50%.

“MBBS students of Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, pay around Rs 1.21 lakh as fee to the government over five years, whereas a student in Punjab pays Rs 4.4 lakh. Punjab government, too, should double our stipend as we are also working for extra hours during our covid-19 hospital duties,” said Dr Vaibhav Chawla, president, Medical Student Association, Amritsar.

Dr Birgurman Singh, a GMC student from Patiala said, “The state government is ready to pay Rs 750 per day to a private ward attendant in the fight against covid-19. Our services are also important.”

Strap/Blurb

UT has announced doubling of stipend to Rs 18,000 a month; Punjab has said it will be increased by 50%