Srinagar, Sep 05 (KNO): A delegation of the Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Saturday met Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Sogami in Srinagar, seeking a time-bound resolution to the long-pending demand of MBBS and BDS interns for enhancement of their monthly stipend.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said the delegation, comprising student and intern doctor representatives and led by National Convener of the Association Nasir Khuehami, included National Spokesperson Dr Zubair Reshi, National Media Coordinator Mir Zubair Nabi, Ehtshaam Khan, Dr Aaqib Khan and other intern doctor representatives.
Earlier, JKSA had sought time with the Government to raise and discuss the concerns of intern doctors. The Advisor subsequently called the JKSA leadership for a detailed briefing and discussion on the matter.
During the meeting, the delegation sought clarity on the Government’s position and emphasised that the demand for enhancement of the internship stipend is genuine, reasonable and deserves immediate consideration. The delegation also stressed the need for a clear, written and time-bound assurance before the protesting interns take a collective decision on the way forward, the spokesperson said.
Speaking during the meeting, Khuehami said the demand of the intern doctors was genuine and justified. He pointed out that the present stipend of Rs 12,300 per month is grossly inadequate considering the workload, professional responsibilities, demanding working conditions, inflation and the rising cost of living.
Khuehami urged the Government to expedite the pending recommendations of the concerned committee and Finance Committee and take a time-bound decision on enhancement of the stipend. He said young doctors serving in J&K’s public healthcare system deserve a fair, timely and dignified resolution to their legitimate concerns.
The delegation also urged the Government to engage directly with the protesting interns and student representatives and 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.
The spokesperson said 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 concerned Principals of all Government Medical Colleges and SKIMS had been asked to nominate two student/intern representatives from each institution for an official dialogue.
He said the Advisor conveyed that the Government was 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 assured timeline.
The Advisor further informed the delegation 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. He acknowledged that the existing stipend was low and stated that the process for its enhancement was already underway.
The Advisor explained that the matter involved a systematic administrative and financial process and assured the delegation that the Government intended to resolve it within a one-month timeframe. He also appealed for an amicable resolution so that the interns do not lose further academic and internship days.
The delegation was further informed that the proceedings and assurances of 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 can return to their academic and clinical duties without further loss of valuable time.
The delegation categorically maintained that enhancement of the internship stipend remained the central and non-negotiable demand of the intern doctors. At the same time, it welcomed the Government’s willingness to engage directly with the students and provide a definite timeline for resolution.
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 regarding the 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—(KNO)