Anantnag, May 20, KNT: A controversy has surfaced at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag after two MBBS interns were reportedly summoned by the college administration following social media videos seeking an increase in internship stipend.
Sources told KNT that the two interns had uploaded videos on social media highlighting their demand for enhancement of monthly stipend and expressing dissatisfaction over the existing payment structure.
According to sources, the students were called by the college administration and counselled over the videos and advised to concentrate on their studies.
Sources said the administration objected to certain language allegedly used in the videos and subsequently the videos were deleted.
The development has triggered concern among some interns, who said the stipend presently stands at around ₹12,300 per month and remains inadequate considering rising expenses and workload.
Interns alleged that around two years ago they had been assured that the stipend would be enhanced to ₹25,000, but no revision has materialized so far.
Several interns, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration over the situation and claimed that attempts to raise concerns are being discouraged in one form or another.
“There is frustration among interns. The stipend is too low and people feel their concerns are not being heard,” an intern said.
Sources further said some interns are discussing the possibility of protest if the stipend issue remains unresolved.
The issue assumes significance as stipend-related concerns among medical interns have periodically surfaced in Jammu and Kashmir, with interns seeking parity and revision in accordance with present living and training expenses. [KNT]
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