BENGALURU: While members of the Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors have launched an indefinite protest seeking higher stipend, about 240 resident doctors of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) too are protesting, but not for an increase in stipend, but to get Rs 25,000 as stipend from the hospital management.
Dr Gokul, a resident doctor from KIMS said, that they have not been paid their stipends for the last 14 months. “The management offered that we settle for Rs 6,000. He said said there is no provision from the management to pay such a huge amount as the government does not pay them.”
He added that as per rules even at private hospitals stipend should be paid to Post-graduate students. At M S Ramaiah Hospital there was a provision for this, but here too it is not being followed.
A senior administrator from the institute said that since KIMS Bengaluru is yet to be receive aid, the demands of PG doctors could not be met. “KIMS collects just Rs 36,000 as annual fee for the CET candidates and the PG doctors are demanding a stipend of Rs 25,000 per month. How is it possible?” argued an official. In order to keep the situation under control, interns at the Hospital are being asked to work on place of the PG doctors and the senior doctors have been directed to for double shifts service.
What do the MCI guidelines say?
PG students undergoing PG degree, super-speciality or diploma courses shall be paid stipend on par with the stipend being paid to the post-graduate students of State Government Medical Institutions or Central Government Medical Institutions, in the State or Union Territory where the institution is located.