SC chides NMC over non-payment of stipends to MBBS interns; seeks compliance report

The Supreme Court came down heavily on the National Medical Commission (NMC) over delay in payment of stipends to MBBS interns across the country, including the Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs). Expressing displeasure over the continued disparity, a bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria asked the commission to file an affidavit within two weeks.

The top court, stunned by the submissions that more than 2,000 medical interns are not being paid stipends, 4,000 are getting half of the stipend amount, and 1,000 are being compelled to return the payment to the institutions, observed that NMC failed to comply with its own directive asking medical colleges to disclose stipend details.

“We hope and trust the NMC would get up from this slumber and take appropriate steps at least by the next date of hearing,” the apex court said in its order, as per a Live Law report. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also been asked to ensure compliance.

SC was hearing a batch of petitions filed by medical students and FMGs against non-payment of internship stipends for months.

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Representing the foreign students, the United Doctors Front (UDF) welcomed the Supreme Court’s firm stand on the long-pending issue of stipend disparity between Indian medical graduates and FMGE students. “United Doctors Front welcomes this proactive intervention by the Hon’ble Supreme Court and reaffirms its commitment to fighting for equality, justice, and dignity of all medical graduates serving across the nation,” said chairperson Lakshya Mittal.

The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) reiterated SC’s rapping of NMC and said, “We have also highlighted that the doctors work on rigorous hours of more than 18 hours and basic stipend is something they deserve as a matter of right.”