Imphal: JNIMS MBBS Interns Launch Indefinite Protest Demanding Stipend hike
Stipend
Imphal: The MBBS students and interns of the State-run Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) have launched an indefinite protest in Imphal demanding a revision and enhancement of the stipend paid to them.
Around 800 MBBS students, including 150 MBBS interns, staged a sit-in at their JNISM campus, Porompat, Imphal East district. Apart from demanding a stipend hike, the students are also condemning the rising admission fees, Assam Tribune has reported.
Reportedly, the MBBS interns at JNIMS Imphal are receiving Rs 15,120 as a monthly stipend. The State government has been giving this amount to the interns since it was implemented in 2015.
As per the latest media report by Assam Tribune, the MBBS interns at the institute have described the stipend amount as significantly lower than in other States. However, so far, there are no reports of a possible review or revision of the stipend amount.
Last year in July, the JNIMS authority had proposed to increase the stipend amount to Rs 31,500 and submitted a reminder to the state Government in July this year. However, according to a member of JNIMS Students' Association, reportedly, no positive responses have come from the government's side.
Commenting on the matter, the President of JNIMS Students' Association, Laishram Lenin Singh, told the Daily, "We're compelled to launch indefinite protest as the authority is yet to revise the stipend for JNIMS internees as our current monthly stipend cannot accommodate the daily needs."
Another intern, who is currently taking part in the protest, mentioned that the protest will continue till the demands of the medical students get fulfilled. "We're planning to continue our protest until our demands are fulfilled," said the intern doctor.
