Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday extended its support to the MBBS and BDS doctors protesting over the long-pending issue of stipend enhancement, and urged the J&K Government to address their genuine demands at the earliest.
Addressing a press conference in Jammu, BJP Spokesperson Dr. Tahir Chowdhary said that young doctors have been compelled to protest for nearly a week over the inadequate monthly stipend of around ₹12,000, despite performing demanding duties and serving patients round the clock.
Dr. Chowdhary said the demand for revision of the stipend has remained pending for the last five to seven years. He questioned how young doctors, who work long hours and attend to emergencies and critical patients, could reasonably meet their professional and personal expenses on such a meagre amount.
“The issue is not new. The doctors have been raising this demand for the last five to seven years. MBBS and dental doctors are an important pillar of our healthcare system and they work round the clock, including during emergencies. Their genuine concerns must be heard and addressed,” he said.
The BJP spokesperson also referred to recent meetings between representatives of the protesting doctors and the government, saying that the discussions had so far failed to result in a concrete resolution.
Dr. Chowdhary urged the government not to threaten, intimidate or put any pressure on doctors who are sitting on a peaceful strike for their genuine demands. He said that instead of threatening the protesting doctors, the government should engage with them constructively and find an immediate and honourable solution.
“Doctors are not demanding anything unreasonable. They are asking for a fair and dignified stipend for the services they render to the people. The government should listen to them with sensitivity rather than threatening or intimidating them,” he said.
He further said that the protesting doctors had reportedly been asked to call off their strike till October 3, with an assurance that the matter would subsequently be taken up by the government. However, the doctors have sought a written assurance regarding their demands. Dr. Chowdhary said the BJP would continue to stand with the young doctors and support their genuine cause.
“We stand with our young doctors and their genuine demands. If required, the BJP will come forward and support them on the ground and take up their cause before the public,” he said. He appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Health Minister to personally intervene and resolve the matter without further delay, so that the protesting doctors can return to their regular duties and patients do not suffer.
Dr. Chowdhary also responded to questions regarding the BJP’s role in resolving the issue during the previous administration. He acknowledged that the matter had remained pending for several years but said that the BJP did not want to turn the issue into a political controversy.
“The priority at this moment should be the young doctors and the healthcare system. We urge the present government to act immediately and resolve this long-pending issue in the larger public interest,” he said. Puneet Mahajan, Convenor, BJP Medical Cell, was also present during the press conference.
The BJP reiterated that the genuine concerns of doctors must be addressed through dialogue, sensitivity and a time-bound decision, while ensuring that the interests of patients and the healthcare system are also protected.