Over 150 medical interns at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) have launched an indefinite sit-in protest, demanding a revision of their stipend which has remained unrevised for the past decade.
The interns highlighted that their current monthly stipend of around ₹15,000 has not been revised in 10 years, despite rising inflation and the escalating cost of living. They termed the amount “inadequate and outdated,” especially in comparison to the higher stipends received by their counterparts at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and other medical institutions.
According to the protesters, they had already apprised the JNIMS Director of their grievances, and while the Director expressed sympathy, the state government has allegedly shown little interest or effort to resolve the matter.
Placards carried by the interns read: “We are doctors in service, not slaves in silence,” and “Interns deserve dignity, not neglect.” The protesters warned that they would continue their indefinite sit-in until their demands are met, and cautioned that prolonged inaction by the government may compel them to resort to more drastic measures.
One of the protesting interns said that the stipend at JNIMS has remained unchanged since its inception more than 10 years ago, and despite their efforts over the last two to three years, the government has failed to smoothen the process, leaving loopholes unaddressed. He added that interns, who are the backbone of the hospital, deserve their rightful dues, especially with inflation and rising costs making the current amount unsustainable.
Around 150 MBBS and BDS interns, along with undergraduates, are now participating in the indefinite protest. While acknowledging that hospital services may be affected, the intern stressed that the authorities must also recognize the seriousness of the issue, warning that if their concerns continue to be ignored, the strike could escalate into more serious and aggressive forms.
