Puducherry: Former Minister and Independent MLA P Angalane has urged the government to establish a monitoring committee to ensure that medical colleges across the Union Territory are adhering to the mandated stipend payments for medical interns and postgraduate medical students. The MLA submitted a memorandum in person to Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan at the Raj Nivas on Tuesday, September 24, addressing the growing concern over non-compliance by several medical institutions.
According to the memorandum, Angalane highlighted that the Central Government, following directives from the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Postgraduate Medical Council, has stipulated a monthly stipend of Rs 20,000 for undergraduate medical interns and Rs 43,000 for postgraduate students. However, Angalane expressed concern that certain medical colleges in Puducherry are violating the order by paying only Rs 10,000 to junior interns and Rs 15,000 to postgraduate students. These institutions have allegedly bypassed the Direct Fund Transfer (DFT) system and compelled students to sign false vouchers, leaving students, particularly those from marginalised communities, in a vulnerable position.
