Srinagar, Sept 5 (JKNS): A delegation of the Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), led by National Convener Nasir Khuehami, on Saturday met Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Sogami in Srinagar and sought a clear and time-bound resolution to the ongoing protest by MBBS and BDS interns over enhancement of their internship stipend.
The delegation comprised National Spokesperson Dr Zubair Reshi, National Media Coordinator Mir Zubair Nabi, Ehtshaam Khan, Dr Aaqib Khan and other representatives of intern doctors, Jammu and Kashmir students association said in a statement to news agency JKNS.
The meeting was held after the JKSA had sought time with the Government to raise the concerns of intern doctors. The Advisor subsequently invited the JKSA leadership for a detailed briefing and discussion on the issue.
During the meeting, the delegation emphasised that the demand for enhancement of the internship stipend was genuine and reasonable and urged the Government to take an early decision on the matter.
The delegation also sought a clear, written and time-bound assurance from the Government before the protesting interns take a collective decision on the continuation of their protest.
Khuehami said the present stipend of ₹12,300 per month was inadequate in view of the workload, professional responsibilities, demanding working conditions, inflation and rising cost of living.
He urged the Government to expedite the recommendations of the concerned committee and Finance Committee and take a time-bound decision on enhancement of the stipend.
The JKSA also urged the Government to directly engage with the protesting interns and student representatives to resolve the matter through dialogue.
“We are ready for dialogue. Our objective is to find a peaceful and constructive resolution to this issue,” Khuehami said.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister’s Advisor clarified that no third person had been approached or authorised to negotiate on behalf of the intern doctors, contrary to certain reports circulating in the media.
It was conveyed that the Principals of all Government Medical Colleges and SKIMS have been asked to nominate two student/intern representatives from each institution for an official dialogue with the Government.
The Advisor conveyed that the Government is committed to resolving the issue and completing the necessary administrative and financial process for enhancement of the internship stipend within one month, with October 3, 2026, indicated as the timeline.
He further said that the Government was ready to hold deliberations with student and intern doctor representatives in a peaceful and constructive manner and genuinely wanted to resolve the issue.
The Advisor acknowledged that the existing stipend was low and said the process for its enhancement was already underway.
He explained that the matter involved a systematic administrative and financial process and appealed for an amicable resolution so that interns do not lose further academic and internship days.
The delegation was also informed that the proceedings and assurances given during the meeting would be formally recorded in the official minutes, which would be shared with the students and made publicly available.
The Government also acknowledged concerns regarding the loss of internship and academic days due to the ongoing protest and the possible implications for interns appearing in postgraduate entrance examinations.
The Advisor expressed the Government’s desire to resolve the matter at the earliest so that the interns could return to their academic and clinical duties without further loss of valuable time.
The delegation, however, maintained that enhancement of the internship stipend remains the central and non-negotiable demand of the intern doctors.
At the same time, the JKSA welcomed the Government’s willingness to engage directly with the students and provide a definite timeline for resolving the issue.
Following the meeting, the delegation sought time to place the Government’s assurances before the intern doctors and discuss the matter collectively before taking any decision on continuation of the ongoing protest.
“The final decision regarding the continuation or suspension of the protest will be taken collectively by the intern doctors across J&K after considering the Government’s assurance and official minutes,” Khuehami said.
“Our position remains clear that the internship stipend must be enhanced. The interns deserve a fair and dignified stipend commensurate with their workload, professional responsibilities and contribution to the public healthcare system. We hope the Government will honour its assurance within the stipulated timeframe and bring this long-pending issue to a satisfactory conclusion,” Khuehami added. (JKNS)
