Nagpur: The indefinite strike called by medical interns across the Maharashtra was reportedly called off on Wednesday after the State Medical Education Minister Girish Mahajan assured to hike stipend from current Rs 6000 to Rs 11,000 within two months.
The Minister also assured that no actions would be taken against the doctors who took part in the strike, according ASMI Secretary, Dr Shubham Borekar.
A meeting between Mahajan and striking interns was held on Wednesday.
Around 2700 medical interns from 18 various medical colleges in state under the banner of Association of State Medical Interns Maharashtra had began their indefinite strike since June 13. The interns were demanding a hike in their stipend. According to the interns, they currently receive a monthly stipend of Rs 6,000 per, which is very low.
“We have been fighting for a pay hike since 2015, we had been given verbal assurances but no action or implementation was taken or done” said a medical intern. Their last pay hike was done in 2012.
“We do 24 hours of a duty and the stipend is very low. Maharashtra has the highest GDP, yet Bihar and Karnataka give a stipend of Rs 15,000 and Rs 22,000 per month,” said another intern doctor.
