High MBBS fees, low stipend spark outrage

Working for a mere remuneration of Rs 500 per day, MBBS interns at the Government Medical College (GMC), Amritsar, are demanding a significant increase in their monthly stipend. The medical students have to undergo an internship programme of six months as part of the MBBS course during which they receive a monthly stipend of Rs 15,000.

The interns argue that despite performing duties similar to doctors, including ward duties, emergency services, outpatient departments (OPDs) and night shifts, their compensation is disproportionately low. “What we are being paid is even less than what an unskilled worker earns,” said one intern. They further pointed out that since they pay the highest fees for MBBS course in Punjab, they deserve a better stipend in return.

Archit Bawa, president of the GMC Medical Students’ Association, said, “Our batch, which started in 2020, had to pay Rs 7.80 lakh in fees. In contrast, students in Haryana paid Rs 4.40 lakh, while those in Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh paid only Rs 2.5 lakh.”

However, interns in Haryana receive a monthly stipend of Rs 24,300, in Himachal Pradesh Rs 20,000 and in Chandigarh Rs 30,070, all significantly higher than the Rs 15,000 paid at GMC.

Students from the 2020 batch also highlighted that the MBBS fee at the government college was Rs 4.40 lakh until 2019. It was then raised by 77 per cent to Rs 7.80 lakh for their cohort. The students added that the fee has continued to increase each year and at present, stands at Rs 9.50 lakh, an overall hike of 110 per cent in just five years. Meanwhile, there has been no corresponding increase in the internship stipend.

Another grievance is the delay in stipend disbursement. “Every year, we have seen our seniors protest just to receive what little stipend is due. Payments are never made on time. We hope that won’t be the case this year,” said another intern.

The internship programme for the 2020 batch began on May 2. Since then, students have written two letters to government authorities and held a protest march. The interns have also warned of intensifying their agitation if their demands continue to be ignored.

Amritsar