More than 150 veterinary students at the ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly protested to demand a hike in their internship stipend. Currently, students receive Rs 3,000 per month for six months, but their mandatory internship lasts 12 months. The students want the stipend increased to Rs 25,000 per month for the entire internship period.
- Students receive Rs 3,000 per month for six months, but internship lasts 12 months.
- They demand Rs 25,000 per month, citing higher stipends at other veterinary institutes.
- Interns at Banaras Hindu University get around Rs 23,500 per month.
- Stipends at Lala Lajpat Rai University and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary University are Rs 24,310 and Rs 22,500 respectively.
- Students seek transparency and a written, time-bound response from authorities.
- They promise peaceful protests without disrupting veterinary services.
Why are IVRI students protesting for a stipend hike?
The students at IVRI Bareilly are protesting because their current stipend of Rs 3,000 per month is considered insufficient for the 12-month mandatory internship. They receive this amount only for six months, even though the internship lasts a full year. They argue that the stipend should reflect the responsibilities and workload during the entire internship period.
How does the IVRI stipend compare with other veterinary institutions?
The students highlighted that veterinary interns at other institutions receive significantly higher stipends. For example, Banaras Hindu University pays around Rs 23,500 per month. Similarly, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Haryana offers Rs 24,310, and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in Punjab provides Rs 22,500 per month. These figures are much higher than the current IVRI stipend.
What are the students’ specific demands?
The students demand:
- An increase in the stipend to Rs 25,000 per month for the entire 12-month internship.
- A review of the stipend differences between IVRI and other veterinary institutions.
- Greater transparency in the stipend system.
- A written, time-bound response from the institute authorities addressing their concerns.
What responsibilities do the interns have during their internship?
Interns undertake clinical training along with professional and practical responsibilities. This includes hands-on experience in veterinary science and animal husbandry, which is essential for their professional development. The students believe that the stipend should fairly compensate them for these duties.
What is the institute’s response and what are the students planning next?
The students have raised this issue with the institute authorities before but did not receive a satisfactory response. They have now submitted a memorandum outlining their demands and expect a resolution before their internship begins. Their professional exams are scheduled later this month, and the internship will start afterward. The students have assured that their protests will remain peaceful and will not disrupt veterinary services, emergency treatments, or patient care.
