Srinagar, Sep 8, : A delegation of protesting medical interns is currently meeting Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar as the stipend agitation entered its ninth day and Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag issued show-cause notices to two MBBS interns.The delegation is meeting the Health Minister amid growing concern among protesting interns after show-cause notices were issued at GMC Anantnag and SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, over their absence from assigned duties.At GMC Anantnag, the Principal issued notices dated September 8, 2026, to Mohammad Akab Javed and Runga Zamin Javaid, both MBBS interns of the college.The Principal said in the notices that the interns had not been attending their assigned duties for the past one week and that their absence had adversely affected patient care and emergency services.The notices cite an NMC notification dated November 18, 2021, and state that the conduct amounts to gross indiscipline and professional misconduct that could warrant curtailment, temporary suspension or cancellation of internship.The interns have been directed to explain within 24 hours why disciplinary action should not be initiated against them.The notices also refer to affidavits submitted by the interns at the time of joining CRMI, stating that they would remain disciplined, abide by college rules and would not participate in strikes, court cases or other acts of indiscipline.A similar show-cause notice was issued earlier on Tuesday by SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, stating that most CRMIs had not been attending assigned duties for the past week and warning of disciplinary action under applicable rules.The developments come as MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir continue their agitation demanding an increase in their monthly stipend from around Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000. Protesters have been demanding a formal government order on the enhancement.Health Minister Sakina Itoo has previously described the interns’ demand as genuine and said the proposal had been processed by the Health and Medical Education Department and sent to the Finance Department for examination of its financial implications.Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also said the issue should be resolved, while Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani said on Tuesday that the matter was being actively considered and expressed hope that it would be resolved in the coming hours.The meeting between the intern delegation and Sakina Itoo is taking place as the protesters seek a decision on the stipend revision and the latest show-cause notices add a disciplinary dimension to the ongoing agitation. [KNT]
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