Srinagar, Nov 13 (KNS)Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) interning in Jammu and Kashmir’s government medical colleges have submitted an urgent appeal to the state’s Health and Medical Education Minister, calling for equitable treatment and immediate payment of stipends. The appeal addresses what FMGs describe as systemic discrimination, with Indian medical graduates receiving monthly stipends while FMGs are denied the same financial support despite performing identical duties.
The FMGs' representation highlights multiple regulatory guidelines and a landmark Supreme Court ruling mandating equal treatment for all medical interns, irrespective of whether they studied domestically or abroad. The National Medical Commission (NMC) regulations, issued in November 2021, clearly stipulate that “all interns shall be paid a stipend” set by the appropriate state or institution. Additionally, subsequent NMC guidelines from 2022 and 2023 reaffirmed that FMGs should not be subject to fees for their internships and must receive stipends equivalent to their Indian counterparts. The Supreme Court’s April 2024 ruling further solidified this stance, explicitly affirming FMGs' right to equal stipends.
According to FMG representatives, repeated efforts to address the issue with officials have led to delays, indifferent responses, and "bureaucratic runarounds." While Indian medical graduates have received stipends directly, FMGs continue to await payment. In a new twist, a recent notice issued by the Jammu & Kashmir Medical Council on October 17, 2024, requires incoming FMGs to submit affidavits stating they will not claim stipends. FMGs argue that this arbitrary requirement is in direct violation of both NMC regulations and Supreme Court rulings and perpetuates discriminatory practices.
The FMGs outlined a chronology of events underscoring their long-standing grievances: November 18, 2021 – NMC regulations mandated stipends for all interns, .Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelMarch 4, 2022 – NMC reiterated that FMGs should receive stipends equivalent to Indian graduates,May 9, 2023 – NMC reaffirmed the entitlement of FMGs to stipends, with stipends set by respective institutions or states, June 26, 2024 – The Civil Secretariat of J&K inquired about the payment of FMG stipends, specifically at a rate of ?12,300 per month,October 17, 2024 – The J&K Medical Council required new FMGs to submit affidavits stating they would not claim stipends, a demand FMGs describe as a breach of equal treatment guidelines.
The representation from FMGs accuses the administration of lack of transparency and discriminatory practices. In June 2024, the Governor’s Grievance Cell cited “non-availability of funds” as the reason for not paying FMGs, though stipends to Indian medical graduates continued uninterrupted. FMGs argue this selective allocation of resources reflects a pattern of discrimination.
They demand Implementation of a uniform stipend policy for all medical interns in Jammu and Kashmir.
The FMGs have warned that they may resort to legal action if their grievances are not addressed promptly. They state that they hope for immediate intervention from the Jammu and Kashmir government, citing their commitment to equity and the Supreme Court’s mandate for equal treatment. The government’s response to this appeal remains to be seen, and FMGs are prepared to escalate their concerns to the judiciary if necessary.(KNS).