Punjab Congress lends support to MBBS interns at PIMS demanding full stipend

Showing solidarity with MBBS interns at the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Punjab Youth Congress leadership has demanded payment of full monthly stipend of Rs 22,000 to interns on the campus.

Raising the issue, Angad Dutta, secretary, Punjab Youth Congress, quoted an official notification issued by the Department of Medical Education and Research (DRME), Punjab, as per which the monthly stipend for MBBS interns was fixed at Rs 22,000.

Dutta said, “Despite a clear directive, the PIMS is paying interns only Rs 11,000 per month, which directly violates the government’s order and contradicts national regulations. As per Clause 3, Schedule IV of the MBBS Internship Regulations (Gazette of India), All interns shall be paid stipend as fixed by the appropriate authority.”

He mentioned that the appropriate authority for determining and implementing this stipend was the Punjab Government through the DRME. He even cited a Supreme Court ruling on the matter and said that interns were entitled to the full amount during their internship period without any deductions or deviations. “Other private medical colleges in Punjab such as Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMC&H), Ludhiana, has already implemented Rs 22,000 stipend as per the government instructions,” he said.

Dutta said, “I strongly believe these future doctors, who are the backbone of our healthcare system deserve fair and just treatment.”

Dr Kawaljit Singh, Executive Chairman, PIMS, argued that the DRME guidelines for stipend were only for government colleges and not applicable on private colleges. He said, “DMC&H is an old college with a larger set up. We run hospital on the PPP mode and on the PGI rates. Hence, we cannot pay more stipend.”