THE three-day-long protest by MBBS interns that had paralysed traffic on Bhopal’s Kamla ParkKilol Park road came to an end on Wednesday after the Madhya Pradesh Government agreed to a nearly 50% hike in their monthly stipend. Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla announced that the stipend for interns in Government medical colleges will be increased from the current Rs 14,337 to Rs 21,500 per month. The official order is expected to be issued soon. The interns, led by students of Gandhi Medical College (GMC), had been sitting on a dharna since Monday demanding that their stipend be doubled from around Rs 14,000 to Rs 30,000, citing rising inflation and heavy workload. They had blocked the road connecting Polytechnic Square to Retghat, barely 100 metres from the Chief Minister’s residence, causing a 1.5-km-long traffic jam. The agitation intensified after alleged police action on Monday. According to interns, police used water cannons near the emergency gate of Hamidia Hospital and later resorted to lathi-charge as they tried to march towards the CM House. At least four interns were injured, with reports of a fractured arm and an eye injury. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla termed the use of force as unfortunate and said that the Government is sensitive to students’ interests. Key announcements made by the Deputy CM: 50% hike in stipend: Monthly stipend increased to Rs 21,500, a historic hike for MBBS interns in the State.

 

High-level probe ordered: Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar has ordered an impartial inquiry into the September 7 incident. DCP Zone2 Vikas Sahwal has been appointed as the inquiry officer. The personnel involved have been lineattached. Compensation for injured: The Government has assured compensation and proper medical care for the interns injured during the protest. Deputy CM Shukla said that Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, was in constant contact and monitoring the situation. Following the assurance, the Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) announced the withdrawal of the strike. The road at Kilol Park, which had remained closed for three days, was reopened for traffic late this evening as students returned to the Gandhi Medical College campus. Expressing gratitude, the interns’ delegation thanked Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla for the positive dialogue. The interns have also called off their boycott of OPD and routine OT services, which had affected healthcare services in Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and other cities. Emergency services had remained functional throughout the protest. The Government said that it is committed to strengthening health services and addressing the rightful expectations of young doctors who form the backbone of Government hospitals.