Nagpur: A sigh of relief swept through the medical intern community in Maharashtra after the state government announced a significant 64% increase in their stipends, reports Chaitanya Deshpande.
From a previous ₹11,000, the monthly stipend now stands at ₹18,000, benefiting not only interns in government medical colleges (GMCs) but also those enrolled in aided medical, dental, Ayurveda and other healthcare disciplines.
This welcome development came on February 15 after extensive lobbying by the Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI). Dr Atharv Shinde, state vice president of ASMI, pursued the issue with MLAs, ministers, and chief minister Eknath Shinde, culminating in a positive decision.
“We are grateful to the state government and DMER for finally addressing our long-standing demand,” said Dr Shinde.
However, while cheers of the interns rise, shadows linger over resident doctors in Maharashtra’s GMCs.
Despite assurances from deputy CM Ajit Pawar of a ₹10,000 salary hike and timely disbursement, the February 15 cabinet decisions offered no concrete solutions. Frustrated, the central committee of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) sent a reminder letter to the medical education minister, threatening of a strike if their demands were unmet.
Dr Abhijit Helge, state president of MARD, voiced their concerns. “We were promised better hostels and salary hikes, but there seems to be no progress. If the government fails to act, we will be forced to resort to a strike.”
From a previous ₹11,000, the monthly stipend now stands at ₹18,000, benefiting not only interns in government medical colleges (GMCs) but also those enrolled in aided medical, dental, Ayurveda and other healthcare disciplines.
This welcome development came on February 15 after extensive lobbying by the Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI). Dr Atharv Shinde, state vice president of ASMI, pursued the issue with MLAs, ministers, and chief minister Eknath Shinde, culminating in a positive decision.
“We are grateful to the state government and DMER for finally addressing our long-standing demand,” said Dr Shinde.
However, while cheers of the interns rise, shadows linger over resident doctors in Maharashtra’s GMCs.
Despite assurances from deputy CM Ajit Pawar of a ₹10,000 salary hike and timely disbursement, the February 15 cabinet decisions offered no concrete solutions. Frustrated, the central committee of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) sent a reminder letter to the medical education minister, threatening of a strike if their demands were unmet.
Dr Abhijit Helge, state president of MARD, voiced their concerns. “We were promised better hostels and salary hikes, but there seems to be no progress. If the government fails to act, we will be forced to resort to a strike.”