MBBS interns’ protest enters ninth day, formal order still awaited
Srinagar, Sep 8: The protest by MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir entered its ninth day on Tuesday, with National Conference MLA and chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq backing their demand for a stipend hike and describing their agitation as legitimate.
The interns are demanding an increase in the monthly stipend from ₹12,300 to ₹30,000. They began an indefinite strike on August 31 and have since intensified the agitation with a 48-hour hunger strike. Interns at SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, said they would continue the hunger strike until the government issues a formal written order.
Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo has termed the demand genuine and said her department had processed the proposal and sent it to the Finance Department for examination of its financial implications.
The issue has been pending for several years. A committee constituted by the Health and Medical Education Department under Government Order No. 538-JK(HME) of 2023 recommended increasing the stipend from ₹12,300 to ₹25,000.
The government told the Legislative Assembly in February 2026 that the recommendation had been examined by the Health Department and submitted to the Finance Department for concurrence. The Finance Department subsequently sought additional information and clarifications, which were provided by the concerned Government Medical Colleges.
The Assembly was informed that a formal order would be issued after Finance concurrence.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the issue should have been resolved earlier and called for an early resolution. On Tuesday, Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani said the matter was being actively pursued by Itoo and expressed hope that it would be resolved “in the coming hours, not in days.”
The present status of the proposal, however, remains unclear. The government has not publicly disclosed whether the Finance Department has granted concurrence, sought further clarification or returned the proposal for modification.
The interns have rejected further verbal assurances and are continuing their agitation, insisting on a written government order revising their stipend.
MBBS interns’ protest enters ninth day, formal order still awaited
Srinagar, Sep 8: The protest by MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir entered its ninth day on Tuesday, with National Conference MLA and chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq backing their demand for a stipend hike and describing their agitation as legitimate.
The interns are demanding an increase in the monthly stipend from ₹12,300 to ₹30,000. They began an indefinite strike on August 31 and have since intensified the agitation with a 48-hour hunger strike. Interns at SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, said they would continue the hunger strike until the government issues a formal written order.
Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo has termed the demand genuine and said her department had processed the proposal and sent it to the Finance Department for examination of its financial implications.
The issue has been pending for several years. A committee constituted by the Health and Medical Education Department under Government Order No. 538-JK(HME) of 2023 recommended increasing the stipend from ₹12,300 to ₹25,000.
The government told the Legislative Assembly in February 2026 that the recommendation had been examined by the Health Department and submitted to the Finance Department for concurrence. The Finance Department subsequently sought additional information and clarifications, which were provided by the concerned Government Medical Colleges.
The Assembly was informed that a formal order would be issued after Finance concurrence.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the issue should have been resolved earlier and called for an early resolution. On Tuesday, Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani said the matter was being actively pursued by Itoo and expressed hope that it would be resolved “in the coming hours, not in days.”
The present status of the proposal, however, remains unclear. The government has not publicly disclosed whether the Finance Department has granted concurrence, sought further clarification or returned the proposal for modification.
The interns have rejected further verbal assurances and are continuing their agitation, insisting on a written government order revising their stipend.
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