Pune: Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI) Maharashtra, representing about 8,000 MBBS interns across govt and semi-govt colleges, has demanded an immediate increase in their monthly stipend from Rs18,000 to Rs30,000. The association has warned of a statewide strike if the state cabinet does not approve the hike during its meeting scheduled for the third week of Oct.The association presented its demands to medical education Minister Hasan Mushrif on Oct 1, after which the minister stated that the proposal had been forwarded to the planning and finance department. Speaking to TOI, Mushrif said, “We are positive about increasing the stipend for medical interns. The medical education department has recommended a hike and sent a proposal in its favour to the planning and finance department. We have recommended that the hike must be on a par with recent stipend increases approved by other states.”In their meeting with Mushrif, ASMI representatives argued that Maharashtra offers among the lowest stipends to medical interns compared to several other states, despite interns undertaking full-time clinical duties, night shifts, and emergency responsibilities.Dr Rushikesh Sangle, president of ASMI, said, “The current stipend of Rs18,000 is insufficient to cover rent or hostel charges, food, transport, professional attire, books, NEET-PG coaching, exam fees, and basic living costs. For interns living independently, this leaves very little disposable income. An internship involves substantial clinical duties, emergency responsibilities, long working hours, night shifts, and limited rest. Despite this, the stipend is considerably lower than the income of many other graduate-level jobs. Due to this, many interns continue to remain financially dependent on their parents even after completing their MBBS.”While the state raised stipends from Rs11,000 to Rs18,000 in Feb 2024 after prolonged lobbying, ASMI stated that this remains far below the amounts paid in states like Karnataka and Jharkhand. The association has requested the minister to address the matter urgently and ensure a revision in line with the cost of living and the responsibilities shouldered by interns, failing which they will escalate protests across medical colleges in Maharashtra.
