Srinagar, August 30(KNS): Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi today extended the party’s full support to MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir who have announced a statewide protest demanding implementation of the long-pending enhancement in their monthly stipend.
Inam Un Nabi said it was deeply unfortunate that a matter examined by a government-appointed committee in 2023 continues to remain unresolved. The committee had recommended enhancement of the stipend, but the proposal has remained caught in official processing, with the matter still pending before the Finance Department.
“How long can a government keep a legitimate recommendation pending? If the government itself constituted a committee, examined the issue and received its recommendations, then there must be a clear reason why interns are still waiting years later for implementation,” Inam Un Nabi said.
Inam Un Nabi said the present stipend of around ?12,300 per month, unchanged since 2019, does not adequately reflect the responsibilities shouldered by medical and dental interns who work in hospitals, wards, OPDs and emergency services as part of their compulsory internship.
“Medical interns are not asking for charity.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThey are demanding a fair and reasonable stipend for the clinical responsibilities they undertake. Keeping their stipend unchanged for years, despite rising living costs and the recommendations of a government committee, is neither fair nor justified,” Inam Un Nabi said.
AIP also questioned the prolonged delay in the Finance Department and urged the government to make the status of the proposal public instead of asking interns to wait indefinitely.
“The government must tell the interns what exactly is pending, what objections remain and why a recommendation made in 2023 has not been implemented. Administrative procedures cannot become an excuse for denying a legitimate entitlement for years,” he said.
Inam Un Nabi appealed to the government to engage with the protesting interns immediately and resolve the issue through a time-bound decision, while assuring the interns that AIP stands with their legitimate demand.
“AIP supports the interns’ peaceful democratic right to raise their voice. We urge the government to treat this as an urgent matter and ensure that the stipend enhancement is decided without any further delay,” Inam Un Nabi added.(KNS).
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