Srinagar, Oct. 9 -- prolonged struggle for stipend enhancement of MBBS and BDS Interns in Jammu & Kashmir has once again been pushed into uncertainty, as the Finance Department has returned the long-awaited file even after approval by the Health Minister, Sakina Itoo.

The issue dates back to June 2023, when a dedicated Stipend Enhancement Committee was constituted to review and rationalize the meager stipend paid to Medical Interns in J&K - one of the lowest in the country. Despite repeated assurances, no final decision has been implemented to date.

In November 2024, the Finance Department had raised certain queries on the file concerning stipend enhancement. The Health & Medical Education (H&ME) Department took nearly eleven months to ...