Chandigarh, July 1 -- Resident doctors and MBBS interns across Punjab called off their strike on Monday following assurances from finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema and health and family welfare minister Dr Balbir Singh. The decision came after a two-hour meeting with representatives of the Forum of Resident Doctors of Punjab in Chandigarh.

During the meeting, the ministers agreed to the protesting doctors' key demands, including a hike in intern stipends, which led to the decision to end the strike. Additional chief secretary (finance) Alok Shekhar and principal secretary (health) Kumar Rahul were also present.

As per the new agreement, the monthly stipend for MBBS interns has been increased from Rs.15,000 to Rs.22,000. Confirming th...