Govt rejects 15% stipend hike demand

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav on Thursday made it clear that the government is not in a position to grant the 15% stipend hike demanded by junior doctors, citing the State’s financial constraints, while urging the Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors’ Association (APJUDA) to reconsider its demand and return to duty. The minister met APJUDA representatives at the Assembly premises after junior doctors intensified their protest over the long-pending revision of stipends. The association reiterated its demand for a 15% increase.

Satya Kumar said the government recognizes the crucial role played by junior doctors in government hospitals and has sympathy for their concerns. However, he said the State’s present financial position does not permit the government to accept the demand in full. Instead, the government has proposed a 5% increase for interns and house surgeons for the current year, followed by a 3% annual increase from next year. For postgraduate and super-speciality postgraduate doctors, the government has proposed a 3% annual increase.