19-06-2025 12:00:00 AM
Metro India News | Hyderabad
A storm is brewing across private medical colleges in Telangana, with hundreds of MBBS interns and junior doctors from the 2020 batch levelling serious allegations of stipend non-payment and financial exploitation. Despite diligently fulfilling their duties in accordance with National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines, many interns claim they have not received their stipends for over two months—an apparent violation of Government Order (GO) 107, which mandates uniform stipend disbursement across both government and private institutions.
On Tuesday, students at Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Karimnagar, staged a protest on campus, while counterparts at Chalmeda Anand Rao Institute of Medical Sciences (CAIMS), also in Karimnagar, earlier demonstrated by wearing black ribbons. These protests are part of a broader movement growing across the state as interns demand the immediate release of their dues.
Formal representations have been submitted to the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), the Telangana Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee (TAFRC), and the Health Minister’s office. Interns under the Government Quota (Category A & B) have documented a disturbing pattern of stipend delays, forced deductions, and mental harassment. Many have warned of an impending boycott of both emergency and non-emergency duties if authorities fail to intervene swiftly.
At the heart of the crisis are allegations of stipend recovery and arbitrary deductions. Students allege that some colleges disburse stipends irregularly and then reclaim the amount under ambiguous labels such as “annual fees” or “miscellaneous charges.” In extreme cases, interns were reportedly coerced into signing blank cheques, effectively giving administrations control over their bank accounts.
A particularly alarming case has emerged from PIMS, where interns claim they haven’t been paid a single rupee to date. When students attempted to meet the college chairman to submit their grievances, they were allegedly turned away and told that the institution would not entertain any complaints. At CAIMS, students report receiving just Rs 2,000 despite working full-time shifts.
The issue extends beyond MBBS interns. Postgraduate (PG) students, particularly those in clinical departments managing ICUs, OTs, and emergency services, are also affected. Despite playing a crucial role in hospital operations, many PGs report receiving negligible or no stipends. Adding to the crisis is the alleged psychological pressure. Interns recount being intimidated by college authorities. “We were told, ‘Your life is in our hands,’” one intern said, referencing threats of internship extensions—delays that could affect their eligibility for NEET PG 2026.
Fee exploitation has also surfaced as a major concern. Students allege that tuition is being charged well above the TAFRC-approved cap, often without receipts or transparent breakdowns. Arbitrary penalties for so-called “late payments” are reportedly widespread. With thousands of students across Telangana's private colleges affected, the spotlight is now on the state health department and the NMC to act. “This isn’t about privilege—it’s about justice,” said an intern leader.