Private college interns to boycott from July 1

Telangana is staring at a healthcare crisis as junior doctors from all 34 government medical colleges across the state have announced an indefinite strike starting June 30, demanding the immediate release of their pending stipends. Following closely, interns and junior doctors from private medical colleges are preparing to launch a complete boycott of duties from July 1, escalating the ongoing standoff over delayed and denied stipend payments.

Isaac Newton, president of the Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA), said, “Stipends are not being released on time. Junior doctors are unable to manage, and extended work hours are worsening the situation.” According to TJUDA, the state government has failed to meet any of the assurances made since November 2024. The core demands include the creation of a green channel to ensure monthly stipend payments by the 10th, implementation of GO Ms No. 59 (which hikes stipends effective January 2025), and clearance of arrears pending since then. They have also demanded improvements in infrastructure and a fixed calendar for faculty recruitment.

Meanwhile, frustration is mounting in private medical colleges as well. Interns from Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Karimnagar, claim they have not received any stipend so far and were denied a meeting with the college chairman. At Chalmeda Anand Rao Institute of Medical Sciences (CAIMS), also in Karimnagar, students reported receiving just Rs 2,000 while working full-time and staged a silent protest with black ribbons. Interns at TRR College protested during a scheduled NMC inspection after rejecting a meagre offer of Rs 6,000 per month, blocking entry at the main gate. In Surabhi Medical College, Siddipet, interns demanded that stipends be paid immediately and on par with government college interns, citing NMC guidelines.

Formal complaints have been submitted to the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), the Telangana Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee (TAFRC), and the Health Minister. Interns have highlighted issues of irregular payments, forced deductions, and even instances of signing blank cheques. Many fear being subjected to psychological harassment and threats of internship extensions, which could jeopardize their eligibility for NEET PG 2026. The protests mark a unified voice of dissent from both government and private medical professionals demanding justice, dignity, and timely compensation.