Bombay High Court slams FDA for pedantic view, clears reopening of 5 eateries at MCA premises
MCA had approached the High Court challenging the FDA's decision to suspend operations over alleged hygiene violations and third-party operational irregularities
Former MLA P.V. Anvar alleges vote leaks in UDF strongholds led to Beypore defeat
In a Facebook post, Anvar questioned whether he was defeated or made to lose and said he was compelled to speak out following recent revelations and media reports
Norway mourns King Harald as crowds gather at royal palace
Norwegians gathered outside Oslos royal palace to pay their respects to King Harald, who died at the age of 89 after more than three decades on the throne
Amid Growing Water Crisis, Chandigarh University Biotechnology Researchers Get Patent for Innovative Device to Kitchen Wastewater Reuse, Save Potable Water
Hand over Kishtwar rape-death case to crime branch: Mehbooba urges Jammu and Kashmir LG
The LoP in Lok Sabha said the incident in Haldwani shows the BJP-RSS mindset
Arunachal: Two Myanmar nationals apprehended in Changlang with suspected brown sugar
Dibrugarh: The 21 Assam Rifles, along with Arunachal Pradesh Police, apprehended two Myanmar nationals near Nongkey Village under Nampong police station in Arunachal Pradeshs Changlang district on Friday. The team also recovered substances suspected to be brown sugar weighing 130.09 grams, which is worth Rs 26 lakhs in the international market. Both individuals are in [] The post Arunachal: Two Myanmar nationals apprehended in Changlang with suspected brown sugar appeared first on NorthEast Now .
Watch: Meena Kandasamy on decoding the Indian incel
The ninth edition of The Hindus Lit for Life Unplugged event at Amethysts Wild Garden Bar on Friday. The conversation was centred around Meena Kandasamys latest book Fieldwork as a Sex Object (Harper Collins), that released in June this year in India.
Gunturs plastic challenge: Ban on single-use items, but used water bottles pile up in drains
The GMC has initiated measures to enforce the ban on prohibited single-use plastic items, with public health officials and sanitary inspectors conducting field-level monitoring and imposing fines through the Swachh App
Maratha Activist Manoj Jarange begins fast over kunbi certificates
Manoj Jarange began his 11th hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati in Maharashtras Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, demanding Kunbi certificates for all 58 lakh applicants whose records have been verified
Three-storey building collapses at Swaminarayan temple premises in Prayagraj
Swaminarayan temple 'kothari', Kamlesh Bhagat, stated that a construction project was under way behind the collapsed structure, and a pit dug for this purpose had been filled with water for an extended period
Trump announces major Venezuela oil deal
Are we educating students or just certifying them?
Students are prepared to be employable. They are not always prepared to be transformed. This shapes an entire generations relationship with knowledge itself.
Punjabi influencer dies almost two months after brutal assault by acquaintances
The victim's mother alleged that her daughter had regained consciousness on August 5, but despite notifying the Kharar police in Mohali to record her statement, police did not arrive
Nepal-Tibet floods: What the disaster means for China-Nepal connectivity and regional coordination
Three live rounds and a magazine seized from passengers hand baggage at Chennai airport
When questioned, the woman was asked to produce valid documents or authorisation for carrying the ammunition and magazine. However, she was unable to provide any such documents
King100: Nagarjuna Akkineni exudes timeless charm in 100th film
Written and directed by R.A. Karthik, the film features music by Devi Sri Prasad
Why shortage of young corneas is hampering corneal blindness prevention drive in Keralam
Ophthalmologists point out that at a time when Keralam has been expanding facilities for corneal transplantation in public health institutions, the focus should be on developing robust Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programmes (HCRP) in both public and private sectors
What keeps Mumbais iconic restaurants alive decades later?
Family-run institutions like Gulmurg, Gaylord and Gallops reveal how consistency, loyal staff and thoughtful reinvention have helped them outlast changing food trends
Trumps Greenland threats cast shadow on Icelands vote on whether to trigger EU membership talks
This is not an election about membership and not about adaptation, as there will be another referendum on an accession agreement if the result is yes, Iceland's Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir told a rally
Four of a family allegedly die by suicide at Pendurthi in Visakhapatnam
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths and are yet to establish the exact sequence of events
Two arrested from Rajasthan for defrauding Mumbai-based chemical businessman of 17.65 lakh
The arrests followed an eight-day operation in Rajasthan during which police tracked the main accused across multiple locations
Dung beetles prefer dog poop, but their children pay the price
The accumulation of domestic dog waste may pose a widespread but underappreciated risk to urban dung beetles, new research has found
Trump government mulls deal to give away part of Yosemite park to a private developer
The Yosemite NPS Employees Union said it was appalled by the ceding of public lands to private interests, calling the proposed trade antithetical to what we stand for as stewards of the park.
Himachal prepared for possible 'Glacial Lake Outburst Floods' incidents: Governor
Kavinder Gupta said there was also a need to focus on helping the families and people affected by the disaster
Andhra Pradeshs next leap: From mineral wealth to manufacturing power
The success of the Swarnagiri project is encouraging the State Government to look beyond a single mine and explore the potential of other gold-bearing regions as well
Sikkim Nepal Flood Relief Team to Leave for Nepal on August 30
The first phase of the Sikkim Nepal flood relief mission will carry medicines, food supplies, solar lights and other essential materials required by flood-affected communities. [] The post Sikkim Nepal Flood Relief Team to Leave for Nepal on August 30 appeared first on The Voice Of Sikkim .
Students of PSBB K.K. Nagar emerge winners in quiz competition conducted by The Hindu
War weighs on Iran's economy as U.S. intensifies sanctions
Washington has warned countries to cut their business ties with Iran or face secondary sanctions, though the Treasury Department stopped short of imposing penalties against major Iranian trade partners such as China and India,
Death toll reaches 626 in Nepal flash floods, nearly 2,000 still missing
According to the NDRRMA, 233 bodies were recovered from Chitwan, 158 from Nawalparasi East, 51 from Nuwakot, 48 from Gorkha, 47 from Nawalparasi West, 45 from Dhading, 31 from Tanahu and 13 from Rasuwa
APJAC-Amaravati leaders urge employees to unite, fight for rights and financial benefits
Low-pressure system causes rainfall in Andhra Pradesh, IMD issues alerts
RPF personnel save passenger from falling off moving train at Perambur station
Gang breaks open private bank ATM in Gummidipoondi, steals 11.5 lakh
The police found that the miscreants had used a welding machine to break open the ATM and take away the cash
From viral reels to traditional meals: The social media effect on food culture in Keralam
Dining choices are increasingly shaped by a restaurants digital presence, captivating food visualisations, and social media popularity
Former Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno sentenced to 5 years for corruption
Manufacture in India, build for world: FM Sitharaman
Ms. Sitharaman emphasised that Indias investment proposition rests not on any single sector, but on the convergence of scale, growth, talent, infrastructure, technology, and sustained reform over the past decade
Flood rescue enters fourth day in Nepal-China border as weather hampers air operations
Poor weather hampered aerial rescue operations in Nepal as the search for hundreds of missing people in areas devastated by catastrophic flash floods along the border with China entered its fourth day
Congress leader Chenthi Anil arrested for waylaying Keralam CM Satheesan; to be suspended from party
Anil taken into custody in the early hours of Saturday. The CMs convoy was allegedly blocked in Sreekaryam police station limits in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday evening
Courtship is back, but somethings changed
At a time of algorithm-swipe fatigue, people across generations are rediscovering that consistency, not chemistry, is the real flex
Arrest A Breakthrough, But Still Need Answers: Parents Of Indian Woman Found Dead In US
Nikitha Godishala was found dead with stab wounds in the apartment of her ex-boyfriend, Arjun Sharma, in Columbia on January 3.
CPI-CPI(M) tussle over Deputy Opposition Leader post in Keralam is a mutiny against Pinarayi Vijayan
The issue is not so much about the nominal post as it is about the clamour for collective leadership; in other words, it is a mutiny against the Leader of the Opposition, whose absolute authority has been resented by the CPI over the last decade and a half
INTACH Filmit India workshop brings heritage storytelling to Visakhapatnam
INTACHs first Filmit India workshop in Visakhapatnam trains schoolchildren to tell stories of the citys cultural and natural heritage through short films
Why the monsoon is one of the best times to explore Indias forests
At naturalist-led trails across Indian wildlife lodges, the monsoon is shifting attention away from the safaris celebrity animals towards breeding frogs, nesting birds, fruiting fungi and the smaller lives that become visible after rain
Being bisexual in India is still surprisingly complicated
India is becoming more comfortable with sexual fluidity, but bisexual men and women are still navigating stigma, fetishisation and the strange demand to pick a side
3,400 SIR forms found at Navi Mumbai photocopy shop, 5 BLOs suspended; Sena (UBT)-BJP men clash
A BJP leader from Panvel said that the party workers had no connection with the matter.
Govt to study rising C-section trend: Health Minister
Shillong, Aug 28:Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla on Thursday assured the Assembly that the department will conduct a study into rising Caesarean deliveries in Meghalaya. The assurance came after a 50-minute discussion on institutional deliveries raised by Leader of Opposition Dr Mukul Sangma. Most of the mothers are required to undergo normal deliveries are becoming less. [] The post Govt to study rising C-section trend: Health Minister first appeared on Highland Post .
CNG Prices Hiked By Rs 3.89 In Delhi-NCR: Check City-Wise Rates
IGL has increased CNG prices by Rs 3.89 per kg across Delhi-NCR, with Noida and Ghaziabad now paying Rs 95.59 per kg.
Here is a select list of stories to start the day
Rescuers were battling through mud even as the threat of new floods loomed, with emergency teams recovering 586 bodies so far -- and some of the dead swept downstream
FM Sitharaman lands in U.S. for six-day visit for G-20 talks and meeting with business leaders
Ms. Sitharaman is on a nine-day joint visit to Canada and U.S., which is scheduled to end on September 2
Telangana Foods turns into role model for country in Take Home Ration models
The facility supplies food to children through Anganwadi centres in all districts of Telangana and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and its major ready-to-eat products include Balamrutham, Balamrutham Plus and snack food, besides hot food products such as Kichidi Mix and Upma Mix
When the mantra of Vande Mataram litthe fire of freedom in Nizams territory
Scores of students sang Vande Mataram, terming it as a mantra, however, the Nizams Government saw it as a song fueling patriotism rather than its religious message
U.S. judge throws out confessions of alleged 9/11 mastermind, says report
The ruling comes just before the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania
President Donald Trump says the U.S. has entered an agreement with Venezuela to take control of 65 billion barrels of the South American countrys oil reserves
England's four seamers feasted on a Pakistan batting order that wasn't boosted by the return of captain Babar Azam
Delhi HC issues show-cause notice to social media user over contemptuous videos
A Bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Vikas Mahajan also declined to recall its June 8 order directing social media platforms to block the accounts and handles of Kapil Kakar
Ritabrata Banerjee-led TMC faction demands immediate students union polls in colleges
Ritabrata Banerjee alleged that the BJP government had nominated its MPs and MLAs to college governing bodies
Government to launch recreational centres for senior citizens: Delhi CMO
The recreational centres will provide senior citizens with facilities such as indoor games, including carrom and ludo, seating arrangements, fans, coolers, televisions and computers
CISF signs MoU to enhance counter-drone skills of security personnel
The paramilitary force guards 370 units across the country, including those in the highly sensitive sectors such as aviation, nuclear power, space and oil refineries, among others, and it has been designated as the nodal agency to handle aerial threats at these installations
UoM Senate meeting postponed, teachers express displeasure
Shopian hospital oxygen plant remains defunct
Shopian: Healthcare services at District Hospital Shopian have come under scrutiny after the facilitys central oxygen generation plant remained non-functional for more than two months, forcing the hospital to depend on standalone oxygen cylinders for patients requiring continuous respiratory support. The prolonged disruption has raised concerns among patients and attendants, particularly families of elderly and critically ill patients with conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), who require uninterrupted oxygen. Hospital authorities, however, said repairs are underway and the plant is expected to be restored within the next two weeks. With the central oxygen generation and pipeline system out of operation, oxygen cylinders are reportedly being used to meet the requirements of patients across different wards. Attendants said the arrangement has created additional logistical difficulties and raised concerns over possible delays in supplying oxygen during medical emergencies. Hilal Ahmad Lone, an attendant of an 80-year-old woman undergoing treatment at the hospital, said his mother suffers from severe COPD and depends heavily on continuous oxygen support. My mother suffers from severe COPD and depends heavily on uninterrupted oxygen support. Her condition deteriorated suddenly yesterday, and it was deeply distressing to learn that the hospitals main oxygen plant has remained non-functional for months, he said. Hospital staff and attendants have also raised concerns over the repeated movement and replacement of oxygen cylinders between wards. They said the arrangement could create logistical challenges, particularly during busy hours when several patients may require oxygen simultaneously. The situation has also raised questions over the hospitals preparedness to handle emergencies involving multiple patients requiring continuous or high-flow oxygen support. When contacted, Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Shopian Dr Arshid Qadri said the hospital administration was in touch with the concerned Mechanical and Hospitality Division regarding restoration of the oxygen plant. He said the restoration work could take around two weeks. Meanwhile, Executive Engineer of the Mechanical and Hospitality Division Ansar Hamid Sheikh said the process for comprehensive repairs and a technical overhaul of the oxygen generation plant had already been initiated. The tendering process for the comprehensive repair and technical overhaul of the oxygen plant has already been initiated. We are treating the matter as an urgent priority and expect the plant to be fully operational within the next ten days, the Executive Engineer said. Until the central system is restored, the hospital will continue to rely on oxygen cylinders to meet the needs of patients requiring respiratory support. The prolonged outage has meanwhile underscored the importance of maintaining critical medical infrastructure and ensuring backup arrangements are adequate to deal with emergencies.
Literature is more powerful than history: Su. Venkatesan
AIMIM expels MLC Mirza Rahmat Baig from party
The party's social media handles, including X, posted the sudden development
West Bengal CM flays Azadi slogans at Jadavpur
Suvendu Adhikari visited Jadavpur for a public recital of national song Vande Mataram, which saw thousands of people joining the Chief Minister
City of ponds: residents of Bihars Darbhanga town wade into legal battle to save water bodies
Members of a citizen group have petitioned the Supreme Court seeking restoration and reclamation instead of beautification of the ponds
GDC Baramulla bars photography, videography without prior permission
Srinagar, Aug 28: The Government Degree College (GDC) Baramulla has prohibited students and staff from carrying out photography, videography, video recording or making short films on the college campus without prior written permission from the principal. In an order a copy of which is with Rising Kashmir, the college administration said the restriction was aimed at maintaining discipline, privacy, decorum and an appropriate academic environment on the campus. The order stated that the restriction would apply to all forms of photography and videography, whether undertaken for personal purposes, social media, entertainment, documentation or any other purpose. It said photography and videography would be permitted only for bona fide academic or official purposes and only after obtaining prior approval from the principal at least seven days in advance. Such requests shall invariably be submitted through the concerned Head of the Department (HoD), clearly specifying the purpose, date, duration, location and nature of the proposed photography/videography, the order stated. The college warned that any student or staff member found violating the order would be liable to strict disciplinary action under the applicable rules and regulations of the institution. The administration has directed all concerned to ensure strict compliance with the order with immediate effect.
Walnut harvest brings fall risks back into focus
Srinagar: As walnut harvesting begins across Kashmir, the seasonal work is once again drawing attention to the safety risks faced by labourers who climb tall trees to collect the crop. With many workers continuing to operate without harnesses, helmets or other protective equipment, concerns over falls and serious injuries remain. Over the years, walnut harvesting has been linked to several fatal and serious fall accidents across the Valley, underscoring the need for greater awareness, safety measures and protective equipment during the season. Gulzar Ahmad Ganie, a local farmer, said he owns several walnut trees and sells the produce to buyers who procure walnuts directly from farmers and supply them to markets in Kashmir and other parts of the country. When the harvesting season begins, buyers and farmers hire labourers on a daily-wage basis to harvest walnuts, Ganie said. He said workers generally use long sticks to knock walnuts down from the trees and rarely use safety equipment. The walnut harvesting season lasts for a short period, usually from around August 20 to September 10. Since the work is seasonal, labourers are reluctant or unable to purchase safety equipment for themselves, he said. Salam Ahmad, a labourer engaged in walnut harvesting, said workers take up whatever daily-wage work is available to them. We work as daily labourers and take up different kinds of work depending on availability. During walnut harvesting, we generally do not use any safety gear, Ahmad said. He said the walnut harvest provides livelihood opportunities to a large number of people across the Valley, including labourers, shopkeepers, dry-fruit dealers and owners of walnut cleaning and processing machines. Ahmad urged the authorities, particularly the Horticulture Department, to provide safety equipment to workers involved in walnut harvesting. If the Horticulture Department provides safety equipment to labourers, they will feel safer while working on the trees. Most of us earn only a small amount on a daily basis, and it is difficult for every labourer to purchase such equipment, he said. Salman said the industry provides livelihood opportunities to thousands of families directly and indirectly. The government should provide high-density walnut plants to farmers at subsidised prices. This will help boost walnut production and ensure that Kashmiri walnuts continue to have demand in markets across India as well as abroad, he said. Meanwhile, workers associated with the walnut trade have also called for measures to revive and strengthen the sector. They said the government should provide high-density walnut saplings to farmers at subsidised rates to encourage the development of new orchards.
Ladakh LG orders zero tolerance on food safety
Leh, August 28: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena, has directed the administration to adopt a zero tolerance approach towards food safety violations across the Union Territory, warning food business operators that any compromise with hygiene, quality and statutory food safety standards will invite stringent action under law. The directive, aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring that food available to consumers in Ladakh is safe and wholesome, comes with a stern warning to nearly 8,800 Food Business Operators (FBOs) registered in the UT. Violations can attract penalties ranging from 1 lakh to 10 lakh, while serious offences involving unsafe or adulterated food may also lead to imprisonment. The UT Administration has issued a detailed circular on the directions of the Lieutenant Governor, making strict compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 mandatory for all FBOs operating in Ladakh. The administration has made it clear that food manufactured, processed, stored, transported, distributed or sold in Ladakh must be safe, wholesome and compliant with prescribed food safety standards. At present, Ladakh has 428 FSSAI licence holders and 8,355 FSSAI registration holders, taking the total number of registered food business operators to 8,783. The Food Safety Department has been directed to ensure continuous compliance by FBOs with statutory food safety, hygiene, sanitation and FSSAI licensing requirements. The department has also been asked to initiate stringent legal action wherever violations are detected. All food business operators, including restaurants, hotels and eateries, shall ensure that food offered to consumers is safe and conforms to the prescribed standards, the administration has directed. Food operators have been specifically prohibited from manufacturing, storing or selling food that is unsafe, sub-standard, misbranded, adulterated, contaminated or beyond its shelf life/expiry date. Emphasising the importance of food safety, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said the issue goes beyond regulatory compliance and is directly linked to the health and well-being of citizens. Selling food that is not of the nature, substance or quality demanded can attract a penalty of up to 5 lakh, while sub-standard food can invite a penalty of up to 5 lakh. Misbranded food may attract a penalty of up to 3 lakh, along with corrective measures or directions for destruction wherever applicable. Misleading advertisements can attract a penalty of up to 10 lakh, while food containing extraneous matter can invite a penalty of up to 1 lakh. Failure to comply with directions issued by a Food Safety Officer may attract a penalty of up to 2 lakh, while unhygienic or unsanitary processing or manufacturing can result in a penalty of up to 1 lakh. Possession of adulterants can attract a penalty of up to 2 lakh where the adulterant is not injurious to health and up to 10 lakh where it is injurious to health. Contraventions for which no specific penalty is prescribed can attract a penalty of up to 2 lakh. The administration has issued a particularly strong warning against the manufacture, storage, sale or distribution of unsafe food. Such violations can result in imprisonment and fines, depending on whether the offence causes injury, grievous injury or death. Interfering with seized food or other seized items can attract imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to 2 lakh. Furnishing false information can invite a penalty of up to 10 lakh, while obstructing, impersonating, threatening or assaulting a Food Safety Officer can result in imprisonment of up to three months and a fine of up to 1 lakh. Carrying out a food business without the required licence can attract a penalty of up to 10 lakh.
57 lakh active workers await e-KYC under VB GRAM G
Centre had earlier assured that existing e-KYC verified job cards will remain validuntil issuance of the new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards; States repeatedly missed e-KYC verification deadlines
Ethiraj College signs MoU with US-based public accounting for industry interaction
GCC seeks 300 cr. overdraft as pending bills cross 2,000 crore
Srinagar, Aug 28: The Jammu and Kashmir government is planning to utilise abandoned community bunkers in border villages of Uri along the Line of Control (LoC) for mushroom cultivation, in a move aimed at promoting agriculture while putting unused infrastructure to productive use. Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO) Uri Mushtaq Ahmad Allaie told Rising Kashmir that the department is preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposal, which will subsequently be submitted to the government for consideration. We are preparing a DPR in this regard and will be proposing it to the government. The initiative will help give a boost to mushroom cultivation in the Uri sector, Allaie said. The proposal assumes significance in Uri, a border area in north Kashmirs Baramulla district, where several villages along the LoC have historically remained vulnerable to cross-border shelling. Community bunkers have served as crucial shelters for residents during periods of intense firing, providing them with a place of refuge when it becomes unsafe to remain inside their homes. However, with a decline in shelling, many of these bunkers have remained largely unused and, in several places, lack adequate facilities and maintenance. The agriculture department is now exploring whether such spaces can be converted into controlled environments for mushroom cultivation. Officials believe the initiative could provide an additional source of livelihood to residents while also encouraging the utilisation of otherwise abandoned community infrastructure in border villages. For residents living close to the LoC, bunkers remain more than just structures; they are vital safety infrastructure. During shelling, villagers, particularly children, women and elderly people, have depended on these shelters to protect themselves from mortar and artillery fire. The proposal also draws from an earlier experiment by residents of LoC villages in Uri. In 2023, locals had taken up mushroom cultivation inside community bunkers and successfully harvested the produce, turning structures once associated with shelling and fear into spaces symbolising livelihood and peace along the border. The earlier initiative was seen as a positive sign for communities that had endured years of uncertainty due to cross-border firing. The proposed government-backed programme could now provide institutional support to expand such efforts and promote mushroom cultivation as an alternative source of income in the Uri sector. Officials said they hoped that mushroom cultivation along the LoC would bring fortune, peace and prosperity to villagers who have for years lived under the shadow of death and destruction.
Councillors raise concern over faecal contamination of water
Excises special drive flags inflow of illicit liquor into Keralams Ernakulam
The department registered 131 cases in the district under the Abkari Act from August 1 to 27 over alleged illegal manufacturing, sales and trafficking of liquor during the special enforcement drive during the Onam season
1.50-crore project to redevelop Vyttila Junction nearing completion
The widened and redeveloped portions beneath the Vyttila flyover being opened to traffic in a phased manner; a dedicated bus bay to park four buses at a time to be readied on the south-western side of the junction
1.50-crore project to redevelop Vyttila Junction nearing completion
The widened and redeveloped portions beneath the Vyttila flyover being opened to traffic in a phased manner; a dedicated bus bay to park four buses at a time to be readied on the south-western side of the junction
Woman found dead near Uthukottai
Delhi couple held for nexus with ISI espionage network
The 25-year-old husband and 21-year-old wife were allegedly tasked with providing logistical support to the network in Delhi, recruiting more individuals for espionage and carrying out field operations
T.N. govt. orders DFR for Water Metro link
T.N. govt. orders DFR for Water Metro link
STS: Students of PSBB KK Nagar emerge winners in The Hindu Madras Quiz
STS: Students of PSBB KK Nagar emerge winners in The Hindu Madras Quiz
Renovated holistic wellness centre inaugurated
Renovated holistic wellness centre inaugurated
Threatening slogans: IIT Delhi Director warns protesters of disciplinary action
Tiruppur takes the lead in free coaching for aspirants of TNPSC Group 2 and 2A exams
Tiruppur takes the lead in free coaching for aspirants of TNPSC Group 2 and 2A exams
J&K med interns announce indefinite strike
Srinagar, Aug 28: MBBS and BDS interns working in Jammu and Kashmirs medical colleges will begin an indefinite strike from August 31 over the delay in revising their stipend despite government recommendations for a substantial hike. The interns, who undergo a one-year mandatory internship at government medical colleges across the UT, said they currently receive a stipend of only Rs 12,000 per month, which they claim is among the lowest in the country. They have been demanding an increase in the stipend, with the proposal pending in the Finance Department. The interns said several states have already revised their stipends while they continue to await a decision in J&K. The MBBS and BDS interns will observe the strike at their respective medical colleges and suspend work from August 31, citing demanding duty hours and challenging working conditions. The Resident Doctors Association (RDA), GMC Doda, expressed concern over the continued delay by J&K Government in revising the monthly stipend for medical interns across the UT. It cited the recent decision of Uttar Pradesh Government to increase the stipend of medical interns to Rs 30,000 per month, while interns in J&K continue to receive inadequate remuneration. This widening disparity underscores a concerning oversight regarding the foundational workforce that sustains critical healthcare infrastructure, it said. The association stated that interns in J&K are subjected to exhaustive duty hours and rigorous clinical responsibilities, while their financial compensation remains disproportionately low. The interns have urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Health Minister to intervene and ensure revision of their monthly stipend in line with national standards. In 2023, a committee was constituted to examine the issue and recommended increasing the stipend for MBBS and BDS interns from Rs 12,000 to Rs 25,000 per month. The committee had also deliberated on stipend-related issues concerning postgraduate resident doctors. In October 2024, the interns met the Chief Minister in Srinagar, who assured them that there would be no disparity between J&K interns and their counterparts across the country. The interns said the stipend was last enhanced in January 2019 during Governors Rule, when it was increased from Rs 4,800 to Rs 12,300 per month. Since then, it has remained unchanged for more than seven years despite inflation and rising living costs. They further pointed out that the Telangana Government recently enhanced the stipend for MBBS interns to Rs 29,792 per month and for postgraduate scholars to Rs 67,032, reflecting the states recognition of its medical workforce. On July 15 last year, Health Minister Sakina Itoo had stated that there would be an increase in the stipend very soon and that the file was under process. Meanwhile, Sahil Maqbool, Joint Secretary, IMA-MSN J&K and representative of JKMSA, said the issue had been raised with the government repeatedly and that the Health Minister had also acknowledged the need for an increase. However, he said, no concrete decision has been taken so far. Interns are an essential part of the hospital workforce and routinely handle OPDs, wards, emergency duties, night duties and extended working hours while receiving a very meagre stipend, Maqbool said.
Recreation spaces for elderly set to come up under new scheme
