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- Existing stipend is low; process for enhancement underway: CMO
SRINAGAR: A delegation of the Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Saturday met the Advisor to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Nasir Sogami, at the Chief Minister’s residence in Srinagar to discuss the ongoing protest by MBBS and BDS interns over their long-pending demand for enhancement of the internship stipend.
The delegation, comprising student and intern doctor representatives and led by National Convener of Association Nasir Khuehami, included National Spokesperson Dr. Zubair Reshi, National Media Coordinator Mir Zubair Nabi, Ehtshaam Khan, Dr. Aaqib Khan and other intern doctor representatives.
Earlier, JKSA had sought time with the Government to raise and discuss the concerns of intern doctors. The Advisor subsequently called the JKSA leadership for a detailed briefing and discussion on the matter.
During the meeting, the delegation sought clarity on the Government’s position and emphasised that the demand for enhancement of the internship stipend is genuine, reasonable and deserves immediate consideration. The delegation also stressed the need for a clear, written and time-bound assurance before the protesting interns take a collective decision on the way forward.
Speaking during the meeting, Khuehami said that the demand of the intern doctors is genuine and justified. He pointed out that the present stipend of ₹12,300 per month is grossly inadequate considering the workload, professional responsibilities, demanding working conditions, inflation and the rising cost of living.
Khuehami urged the Government to expedite the pending recommendations of the concerned committee and Finance Committee and take a time-bound decision on enhancement of the stipend. He said that young doctors serving in J&K’s public healthcare system deserve a fair, timely and dignified resolution to their legitimate concerns.
The delegation also urged the Government to engage directly with the protesting interns and student representatives and resolve the matter through dialogue. “We are ready for dialogue. Our objective is to find a peaceful and constructive resolution to this issue,” Khuehami said.
The Chief Minister’s Advisor clarified that no third person has been approached or authorised to negotiate on behalf of the intern doctors, contrary to certain reports circulating in Media. It was conveyed that the concerned Principals of all Government Medical Colleges and SKIMS have been asked to nominate two student/intern representatives from each institution for an official dialogue.
The Advisor conveyed that the Government is committed to resolving the issue and completing the necessary administrative and financial process for enhancement of the internship stipend within one month, with October 3, 2026, indicated as the assured timeline.
The Advisor further informed the delegation that the Government is ready to hold deliberations with student and intern doctor representatives in a peaceful and constructive manner and genuinely wants to resolve the issue. He acknowledged that the existing stipend is low and stated that the process for its enhancement is already underway.
The Advisor explained that the matter involves a systematic administrative and financial process and assured the delegation that the Government intends to resolve it within one month timeframe. He also appealed for an amicable resolution so that the interns do not lose further academic and internship days.
The delegation was further informed that the proceedings and assurances of the meeting would be formally recorded in the official minutes, which would be shared with the students and made publicly available.
The Government also acknowledged the concerns regarding the loss of internship and academic days due to the ongoing protest and the possible implications for interns appearing in postgraduate entrance examinations. The Advisor expressed the Government’s desire to resolve the matter at the earliest so that the interns can return to their academic and clinical duties without further loss of valuable time.
The delegation categorically maintained that enhancement of the internship stipend remains the central and non-negotiable demand of the intern doctors. At the same time, it welcomed the Government’s willingness to engage directly with the students and provide a definite timeline for resolution.
Following the meeting, the delegation sought time to place the Government’s assurances before the intern doctors and discuss the matter collectively before taking any decision regarding the continuation of the ongoing protest.
“The final decision regarding the continuation or suspension of the protest will be taken collectively by the intern doctors across J&K after considering the Government’s assurance and official minutes,” Khuehami said.
“Our position remains clear that, the internship stipend must be enhanced. The interns deserve a fair and dignified stipend commensurate with their workload, professional responsibilities and contribution to the public healthcare system. We hope the Government will honour its assurance within the stipulated timeframe and bring this long-pending issue to a satisfactory conclusion,” Khuehami added.