AMMU, September 3, 2026 – MBBS and BDS interns across government medical colleges in the Jammu region, including Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, have launched an indefinite strike, demanding an immediate hike in their monthly stipend. Protestors staged dharnas outside hospital premises, arguing that their current remuneration of ₹12,300—equivalent to roughly ₹400 a day—has remained unchanged for nearly seven years despite repeated representations.
1.Widespread Protests in Jammu Division:
The strike has seen widespread participation from interns at GMC Jammu, local dental colleges, and the newly established GMCs in Kathua, Doda, Rajouri, and Udhampur. The protesting young doctors have suspended routine clinical duties while continuing to attend to emergencies. Carrying banners reading “Same work, same dedication and fair stipend,” the interns stressed that they share a substantial workload, including 24-hour shifts, night duties, and rural postings, yet remain at the bottom of the comparison chart nationally.
2.Administrative Delays and Unfulfilled Assurances:
Dr. Abhinav Bhat, one of the protesting interns, highlighted that a committee formed by the Health and Medical Education Department in 2023 had recommended increasing the stipend to around ₹25,000 for the 2025-26 academic year. The proposed hike was even mentioned as ₹26,300 during the 2026 Assembly session, but the matter has yet to be implemented. The interns are now seeking a revision to ₹30,000 and are demanding a formal written order, refusing to end their agitation based on mere verbal assurances.
3.Political Support and Government Response:
The agitation has drawn the attention of regional political leaders. J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and ensure an early resolution of the dispute, terming their demands genuine. Meanwhile, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo has stated that there is no need for the interns to go on strike, as their demand for a stipend enhancement is already under process by the government.
Published by True Roots Media Network