Salzburger Tageblatt - Maharashtra Government Raises MBBS Intern Stipend to Rs 25,000

The Maharashtra government has agreed to raise the monthly stipend for MBBS interns by Rs 7,000, increasing the amount from Rs 18,000 to Rs 25,000. Following this agreement, the Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI) called off its strike.

The decision was reached during a meeting on Thursday involving Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, senior officials from the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), and representatives of the ASMI. Attendees included the principal secretary, deputy secretary, commissioner, and director of the DMER.

While the stipend increase marks a significant development in the interns' agitation, the association noted that several demands remain unresolved. Dr Raman Pawar, general secretary of the ASMI, stated that the group had originally demanded Rs 30,000 per month. However, due to the state's ongoing drought situation, compromises were made with the government.

"Despite these compromises, the issue remains only partially resolved," Dr Pawar said. "Therefore our demands for a three per cent annual improvement and a minimum increase of Rs 30,000 per month at least in the Mumbai region will continue to remain on the agenda."

The formal Government Resolution (GR) outlining the revised stipend is expected to take between one and one-and-a-half months to be issued due to administrative procedures.

V.Grabner--SbgTB