Srinagar, Oct 20 (KNO): Medical interns across Jammu and Kashmir have decided to continue their indefinite strike over the delay in issuing a formal government order on stipend enhancement.
The All India Medical Students' Association (AIMSA) said the interns would not call off their agitation until the government formally issues the written order implementing the enhancement, maintaining that previous assurances had failed to translate into an official decision.
AIMSA president Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the association had received information about the Chief Minister's announcement but stressed that the interns wanted the government to issue the formal order without any further delay.
"No written order, no end to the strike," Dr Khan reiterated, adding that the interns had been given assurances on several occasions in the past, but the continued delay in issuing the order had left them with little confidence in further commitments.
The development comes amid mounting resentment among MBBS and BDS interns, who have been demanding an enhancement in their monthly stipends and have accused the government of failing to honour its written assurance to resolve the matter within 30 days.
The interns intensified their agitation after the stipulated 30-day period expired without the issuance of the promised government order. They said the government had given a written assurance that the matter would be finalised within the specified timeframe, raising expectations that the long-pending demand would be addressed. However, the absence of a formal order prompted the interns to launch an indefinite strike.
Referring to government record notes dated September 4 and 9, 2026, the protesting interns said the authorities had committed to finalising the matter within 30 days but had failed to meet the deadline. They maintained that the issue was no longer about holding meetings or receiving assurances but about implementing a commitment that had already been made in writing.
"The government gave us a written assurance that the matter would be finalised within 30 days. That period has expired, but there is still no official order. We have been patient and have repeatedly approached the authorities, but the situation remains unchanged," the protesting interns said.
They said the latest announcement had raised hopes of an early resolution but insisted that their strike would continue until the proposed enhancement was formally notified.
The protesting interns said repeated assurances without concrete action had deepened their frustration, arguing that the government should now translate its commitments into a formal administrative decision.
"Same assurances, same delays and the same pattern. We have waited patiently and approached the authorities through proper channels, but our demand remains unresolved. Once a written assurance has been given, the government must honour it," they said.
The interns also expressed concern over what they described as contradictory information regarding the status of the file, saying uncertainty over the proposed enhancement had continued despite repeated discussions with officials. They maintained that the absence of a formal order had prevented them from treating the latest announcement as a final resolution of the issue.
Dr Mohammad Momin Khan said the interns appreciated the confirmation regarding the proposed stipend hike but emphasised that the association could not withdraw the agitation solely on the basis of an announcement. He said the interns had witnessed similar assurances in the past and were now seeking a written government order that would clearly establish the implementation of the enhancement.
According to the AIMSA president, the association's position remained unchanged: the strike would continue until the official order was issued. The interns said their demand was not for another round of negotiations but for the fulfilment of the commitment already made by the government.
They urged the authorities to complete the necessary formalities and issue the order at the earliest to end the uncertainty surrounding the stipend enhancement, saying a formal notification would provide clarity on the proposed enhancement and demonstrate that the written assurance given to them had been honoured.
Meanwhile, official sources confirmed to Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the formal order regarding the stipend hike for MBBS and BDS interns is expected tomorrow, which will clear the air and give relief to those who have been fighting for long—(KNO)