Chennai: Medical interns and post-graduate students to strike work on Monday
Chennai: Interns and Postgraduates Association of Tamil Nadu announced a full day strike on Monday demanding an increase in stipend provided by the state government to medical interns and postgraduate students. Members of Doctors Association for Social Equality (DASE) headed by secretary Dr G. R. Raveendranath raised several issues concerning the grievances of government medical doctors on Friday.
DASE requested the Chief Minister to hold discussions with the Interns and Postgraduates Association of Tamil Nadu as it announced strike on Monday demanding an increase their payroll assistance.
Medical interns are paid a stipend of Rs 27,100 in first year, Rs 28,100 in second year and Rs 29,100 in third year. However, the stipend given to medical students in various other states including Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Goa is at least Rs 42,000 and above. Post graduates get a stipend of Rs 32,800 for all three years, while other states provide at least Rs 45,000 or more.
Medicos also stated that state government should look into the ‘break system’ of supplementary exams for dental students in first year. If the students fail in the first year exam in dental practice, there is a “break system” method to wait for next six months before one appears for supplementary exam. However, for MBBS students, supplementary exam is held within a week.
“We want that 'break system’ should be dissolved and supplementary exam should be held within a month for BDS students also,” said Dr G. R. Raveendranath. Doctors also stated that the retirement age of government doctors should not be raised to the age of 65, as it would reduce the job opportunities of young doctors waiting for government jobs in Tamil Nadu. Already, the promotion of young doctors in government work is affected.
“If there is a lack of medical professors in some fields, doctors can be appointed on contract basis. It is not right to raise the retirement age. We also oppose the proposal of parliamentary committee of compulsory one year service in rural areas for medical students. It will affect the permanent employment of the doctors,” he added.
