Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) interns in Rajasthan have been protesting since September 16 over the non-payment of their internship stipend. An FIR was registered against 35 MBBS graduates and Dr Jaswant Yadav at the Adarsh Nagar police station for protesting outside the Rajasthan Medical Education Society (RajMES) office in Jaipur. The interns demand a monthly stipend of Rs 21,700, equal to what Indian medical graduates receive, along with arrears for the unpaid period.
- FIR filed against 35 FMG interns and Dr Jaswant Yadav for protesting.
- Interns demand Rs 21,700 monthly stipend and arrears.
- Medical bodies AFA, FAIMA, and AIMSA support the protest and call for dialogue.
- AIMSA warns of a nationwide strike if issues remain unresolved.
- Protesters continue clinical duties despite unpaid stipends.
Why are FMG interns protesting in Rajasthan?
The FMG interns are protesting because they have not received their monthly internship stipend of Rs 21,700. They argue that they perform the same clinical duties as Indian medical graduates and should receive equal pay. Additionally, they seek arrears for the time they worked without payment.
What led to the FIR against the protesting interns?
According to reports, the interns and Dr Jaswant Yadav protested peacefully outside the RajMES office. On September 28, they reached the fifth floor of the office, where authorities allege they created a disturbance and obstructed government work. The police registered a case under unlawful assembly provisions and are investigating.
How have medical associations responded to the protest and FIR?
Several medical bodies, including the All FMGs Association (AFA), Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), and All India Medical Students' Association (AIMSA), have expressed support for the interns. They emphasize that the doctors are peacefully seeking their rightful stipend and urge the Rajasthan government and police to engage in dialogue rather than confrontation.
What actions has AIMSA proposed regarding the FIR?
AIMSA strongly opposes the FIR against the interns and warns that if the FIR is not withdrawn and a written assurance on stipend payment is not provided within 24 hours, medical associations across India may consider a nationwide strike in support of the protesting doctors. However, no strike has been announced yet.
What is the current status of the protest?
The FMG interns continue their clinical duties in government hospitals despite not receiving their stipend. The protest remains active, with calls for the Rajasthan government and Directorate of Medical Education (DME) to provide a written response and resolve the stipend issue peacefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who are the FMG interns protesting in Rajasthan?
A: They are Foreign Medical Graduate interns who completed their medical education abroad and are doing internships in Rajasthan government hospitals.
Q: What stipend amount are the FMG interns demanding?
A: They are demanding a monthly stipend of Rs 21,700, equal to the amount paid to Indian medical graduates for similar work.
Q: Why was an FIR filed against the interns?
A: The FIR was filed after the interns allegedly created a disturbance and obstructed government work during their protest at the RajMES office.
Q: What is the response of medical associations to the FIR?
A: Medical associations support the interns, call for dialogue, and AIMSA has warned of a possible nationwide strike if the issue is not resolved.
Q: Are the FMG interns still working despite the protest?
A: Yes, the interns continue to perform their clinical duties in government hospitals while protesting for their stipend.
