Srinagar, Oct 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has approved the enhancement of their monthly stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 25,000, with the Health and Medical Education Department directed to issue the necessary orders immediately.

Official sources said the CM has cleared the file concerning the long-awaited revision, paving the way for a substantial increase in the monthly remuneration paid to MBBS and BDS interns.
‎"The Chief Minister has approved the file for enhancement of the monthly stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 25,000. The Health and Medical Education Department has been directed to issue the necessary orders immediately," they said.
‎Sources said the formal order is expected to be issued tomorrow as today was a holiday.
‎The decision will increase the monthly stipend by Rs 12,700, representing a rise of approximately 103.25 per cent over the existing amount.
Meanwhile, MBBS and BDS interns welcomed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's approval to enhance their monthly stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 25,000 but announced that their indefinite strike would continue until the government formally issues the order.
Dr Mohammad Akib Javid, representative of J&K MBBS and BDS interns and Joint Secretary of the All India Medical Students' Association (AIMSA), thanked the Chief Minister for approving the long-pending demand but said the interns would not withdraw their protest merely on the basis of an announcement.
"We sincerely thank Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for approving the enhancement of our monthly stipend. However, our indefinite strike will continue until the official government order is issued and made publicly available," Javid said.
He said the interns had been informed that the order could not be issued on Tuesday because of a holiday and was expected on Wednesday.
Referring to previous assurances, Javid said the interns had repeatedly been promised a revision, but the failure to implement those commitments had forced them to continue their agitation.
"We are willing to wait until tomorrow. If the government issues the formal order on Wednesday, we will call off our strike. Until then, our peaceful protest will continue," he said.
The interns maintained that while the approval was a positive development, only the issuance of a formal government order would bring their agitation to an end.
"An announcement is a welcome step, but official implementation is what brings this struggle to its conclusion," Javid said.