Medical interns stir in Maharashtra Continues

Nagpur: The indefinite strike called by the Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI) in Maharashtra entered second day on Thursday. Around 2,700 medical interns from across the state went on an indefinite strike from Wednesday, demanding a 40 per cent hike in stipend.

A meeting between the ASMI representatives and Directorate of medical Education and Research (DMER) was held, but nothing has happened so far.

There are around 2,500 interns in medical colleges and 200 in dental colleges in the state. Presently, they are getting Rs 6,000 and itis being said that the financial burden, after increasing the stipend by 40 per cent, is going to be over Rs 27 crore, for which the government is not prepared as of now, sources said.

The interns, besides seeking higher stipend (Rs 11,000), demands fixing of the working hours for interns, sources added.

Stipend paid to medical interns in Maharashtra is less as compared to the stipend given in other states like West Bengal (Rs 21,000), Chattisgarh (Rs 20,000), Kerala (Rs 20,000), Uttar Pradesh (Rs17,900) and Uttarakhand (Rs 7,500), sources added.

Medical dialogues team had earlier reported that On the same issue, the medical interns had threatened to go on a strike last month, however, decided to postpone after the representatives of the Association of State Medical Interns (Maharashtra) met Medical Education Minister, Girish Mahajan who assured that he will consider their demands and increase the stipend. However, with no further response, the interns decided to call it strike again

Read also: Maharashtra: Demand for stipend hike will see MBBS interns on a strike on June 13