Jammu, Nov 2 (KNS): The All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) on Monday set November 12 as the deadline for the Jammu and Kashmir government to address the long-pending demand for revision of stipends for postgraduate (PG) medical and dental resident doctors, warning of peaceful protests across the Union Territory if the issue remains unresolved.

Addressing a press conference at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, AIMSA representatives expressed concern over disparities in the stipend structure, saying resident doctors in J&K were receiving significantly lower remuneration compared to their counterparts in several other states.

The association said first-year PG resident doctors in J&K receive Rs 64,000 per month, while those in subsequent years are paid Rs 67,000, despite demanding clinical responsibilities, extended working hours and continuous patient care duties.

Questioning the disparity, AIMSA representatives demanded an immediate revision of the existing stipend structure to bring it in line with prevailing rates in other states.

The press conference was led by AIMSA Chief Advisors Dr Sanah, Dr Abhishek Mittal, Dr Fazan Lone and Dr Sidhant Sharma.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Dr Danish Hamid, Joint Secretary, AIMSA, who represented PG dental residents across Jammu and Kashmir, highlighted the concerns of the dental fraternity and sought uniformity in stipend policies for medical and dental postgraduate residents.

Dr Shahnawaz Malik, Additional Secretary, AIMSA, was also present.

The association said it had submitted a representation to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, seeking his intervention for an early resolution of the issue. The representation was signed by AIMSA President Dr Mohammad Momin Khan.

AIMSA urged the government to provide a concrete response and take necessary measures to address the demands by November 12.

The association warned that failure to resolve the issue within the stipulated deadline would compel its members across Jammu and Kashmir to launch peaceful and democratic protests.

Reiterating its demand for fair and competitive remuneration, AIMSA said PG medical and dental residents deserved a uniform stipend policy that adequately recognised their contribution to healthcare services across the Union Territory. (KNS)