GADVASU: Vet students go on indefinite strike, OPD services affected

Tribune News Service

Manav Mander

Ludhiana, July 11

The OPD services of the animal hospital of the Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) were badly hit after final year students went on an indefinite strike today.

Only emergency services were provided in the hospital on Monday. Students are demanding increment in their internship allowance.

Comparison of internship allowance

• Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi: Rs 23,500
• Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Haryana: Rs 17,000
• Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences University: Rs 17,000
• MBBS interns (Punjab): Rs 15,000
• GADVASU, Punjab: Rs 6,200

Last month also, the students went on a strike. Then, Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal met them and assured them that within five days, the government will issue a notification in this regard after which they lifted the protest. But nothing has been done by the government even after a month.

BVSc and Animal Sciences programme includes one year of compulsory internship for which students are given a monthly allowance. At present, they are getting Rs 6,200 as stipend which is low as compared to other state universities.

“Despite being the number one university in the state, the allowance given to the students is meagre. We are paying Rs 1 lakh monthly fees but we are being given peanuts in the form of stipend,” said a protesting final year student.

“The university is giving the same amount as stipend since 2006. Fees is being increased but no increase in the stipend has been made. We are putting a lot of hard work and internship allowance is our right but what we are being paid is very less. As compared to other states, what we are getting is not even their 50 per cent,” said a final student, Gurbir Singh.

Another student said the new government had promised to pay special attention towards health and education. “We were promised by the government that the stipend will be increased but it was a hollow promise. We will continue our strike and not return on duty till the notification is issued,” he said.

Another student, Ramanpreet Singh, rued that the state’s dairy sector contributes a major share in the GDP which was due to the services provided by the veterinary university.

“We are working as assistants with senior doctors 24x7 and we deserve to be paid for our hard work,” he said.

Many return sans consultation

Many pet and animal owners, who came to the OPD today, had to return without consultation as only emergency cases were taken.

Kulwinder Singh said his dog was unwell, so he came to the hospital today but doctors are on strike. “Now, I have to go to a private clinic,” he said.

Balwinder Singh, who came from Sangrur for a monthly check-up of his buffalo, said he travelled for over 2 hours and after reaching here, he came to know that the OPD was closed.

“My whole day has been wasted,” he said.

About The Author

Tribune News Service

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.