Strike to be called off if government issues order on Wednesday

Srinagar, Oct 20 (KNS): MBBS and BDS interns in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday welcomed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's approval to enhance their monthly stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 25,000 but announced that their indefinite strike would continue until the government formally issues the order.

In a statement issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Dr Mohammad Akib Javid, representative of J&K MBBS and BDS interns and Joint Secretary of the All India Medical Students' Association (AIMSA), thanked the Chief Minister for approving the long-pending demand but said the interns would not withdraw their protest merely on the basis of an announcement.

"We sincerely thank Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for approving the enhancement of our monthly stipend. However, our indefinite strike will continue until the official government order is issued and made publicly available," Javid said.

He said the interns had been informed that the order could not be issued on Tuesday because of a holiday and was expected on Wednesday.

Referring to previous assurances, Javid said the interns had repeatedly been promised a revision, but the failure to implement those commitments had forced them to continue their agitation.

"The deadline mentioned in the previous written assurance has already expired. Despite several meetings and promises, we have been left waiting for the implementation of our legitimate demand," he said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Javid said the interns respected the Chief Minister's intervention and hoped the government would fulfil its latest commitment without further delay.

"We are willing to wait until tomorrow. If the government issues the formal order on Wednesday, we will call off our strike. Until then, our peaceful protest will continue," he said.

The interns maintained that while the approval was a positive development, only the issuance of a formal government order would bring their agitation to an end.

"An announcement is a welcome step, but official implementation is what brings this struggle to its conclusion," Javid said.

The development comes after the Chief Minister approved more than doubling the existing stipend, with the Health and Medical Education Department directed to issue the necessary orders immediately.

The proposed revision would increase the monthly stipend by Rs 12,700, representing a hike of over 103 per cent.

The interns have been demanding a revision of their stipend, citing years of stagnation in payments, rising living costs and the demanding nature of compulsory clinical duties.

The continuation of the strike means the interns will await Wednesday's notification before deciding on the future course of their agitation. (KNS)