PDP Leader Supports Medical Interns' Demand for Higher Stipend in Jammu and Kashmir

Doctors from Jammu and Kashmir are now getting political support for their demands in Srinagar. PDP leader Iltija Mufti has supported the protesting medical interns. She joined the sit-in of medical interns at Government Medical College Srinagar and justified their demand to increase their monthly stipend from the current Rs. 12,300 to Rs. 30,000. She said that it is a matter of great concern that medical interns in Jammu and Kashmir are getting low stipends while they have a heavy workload. Interns often have to do duty for 12 to 48 hours and they often do not get even basic holidays and adequate time off throughout Jammu and Kashmir. She added, "The demand for a stipend of thirty thousand rupees is just and fair. Many states have already increased their internship stipends significantly. Odisha and West Bengal give about 45,000 rupees each, while Uttar Pradesh have increased their stipends from Rs. 12,000 to 25,000. Bihar and Mufti have also said that the government should seriously rethink its public spending on such programmes."