IGMC docs up in arm against delayed stipend

ibune News Service

Shimla, January 10

Over 350 resident doctors of the IGMC here are up in arms against the state government and medical college management, demanding immediate release of their monthly stipend, provisions for accommodation and food in the college canteen.

“We have raised the issue with the health authorities, despite that we have not received the monthly stipend ranging from Rs 35,000 for the first year, Rs 40,000 for the second year and Rs 45,000 for the third year”, rued members of the Resident Doctors Association (RDA), Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla.

The doctors held their emergency meeting here today, expressing unhappiness over the indifferent attitude of the state government.

They said they work non-stop for 36 hours taking care of patients. “Most of the residents have come from distant places to the IGMC. The government does not provide them hostel or residential facility,” they rued.

The government was not bothered to pay them their monthly stipend even after 10 days of the due date, said Dr Ajay Jaryal, president, RDA. “When all employees are paid salaries on the first, why the residents are made to wait for their stipend every month”, he said.

The residents were not getting proper food in the IGMC canteen. “We have raised the issues with the government and college management, but to no avail,” RDA claimed.

IGMC Principal Dr Ravi Sharma, who was out of station, said they had brought it to the notice of the government which was finalising the issue of bank guarantee to be submitted by the residents. Many had not submitted their affidavits. The payment of stipend might be delayed due to this, he added.

Dr Jaryal said the government might have issues with the first or second year students, but even third year residents had not received their stipend.