Srinagar, Sep 8: Protesting medical interns at SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, have come under show-cause notices amid their ninth day of agitation demanding an increase in the monthly internship stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000.

In a notice, the Principal, SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, said that “most of the CRMIs” had not been attending their assigned duties for the past one week, which, according to the notice, had adversely affected patient care and emergency services at the hospital.
The notice states that the absence amounted to “gross indiscipline and professional misconduct” under the National Medical Commission regulations and could warrant “curtailment, temporary suspension or even cancellation of internship.”
The interns have been asked to explain their position within 24 hours and the notice states that failure to submit an explanation would result in the matter being dealt with under the applicable rules.
The Principal also referred to affidavits submitted by the CRMIs at the time of joining, stating that they would remain disciplined, follow the rules and regulations of the college and would not participate in strikes, court cases or other acts of indiscipline.
The notices came as MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir continued their indefinite protest for a stipend hike. The agitation entered its ninth day on Tuesday, while interns at SKIMS Bemina have also been observing a 48-hour hunger strike. Protesters have said they will continue the agitation until a formal written government order is issued.
Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo has described the interns’ demand as genuine and said the proposal is under consideration. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Monday that the matter should have been resolved earlier and that the Health Department would have to take the first decision on the issue.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani said the matter was being actively considered and that Itoo was pursuing it with the concerned authorities. He expressed hope that the issue would be resolved “in the coming hours, not in days.”
National Conference chief spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq also backed the protesting interns on Tuesday, saying their demand was genuine and that they had the right to protest peacefully in a democracy. He also said the government should find a resolution to the issue.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti questioned the issuance of the show-cause notice, asking on whose behest the Principal of SKIMS Bemina had initiated action against medical interns demanding a stipend hike.
“India is a democracy we are entitled to peaceful protests. You cannot hold them to ransom on the basis of a silly affidavit,” Mufti said, according to her statement.
She also questioned the timing of the action, saying that while the Chief Minister had said only a few hours earlier that the issue would be resolved, notices had subsequently been issued through principals of medical colleges.
“Doublespeak by the government,” Mufti said, while calling for an increase in the interns’ stipend.
The protesting interns have maintained that their demand for an enhanced stipend has remained pending despite repeated representations and earlier government-level consideration. They have demanded that the proposed revision be issued through a formal government order rather than verbal assurances.
The SKIMS Bemina notice does not mention the stipend demand by name, but it has been issued while the interns are participating in the ongoing agitation and specifically refers to their absence from duties and their joining affidavits concerning participation in strikes.