The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea over the non-payment of stipend to foreign medical graduates interning in Gujarat. Notices have been issued to NMC and the state government over alleged violation of medical regulations.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court took serious note on Friday of a complaint regarding the non-payment of stipends to foreign medical graduates (FMGs) who are currently completing their mandatory internship in Gujarat.
The top court asked the National Medical Commission (NMC) and other concerned authorities, including the Gujarat government, to file their responses on the issue.
A bench consisting of Justices Aravind Kumar and Prasanna B Varale agreed to examine the petition filed by the All India Parents Association Belarus Medical Students.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court Questions NMC on Unpaid Stipend to Foreign Medical Graduates in Bhopal
The plea highlights that foreign medical graduates are being unfairly denied stipend even though they perform the same duties as Indian medical graduates during their internship period.
The petition was filed through advocate Tanvi Dubey and strongly argues that the denial of stipend is not only illegal but also pushing these students into financial distress.
The plea stated,
“It is humbly submitted that the FMGs have already spent 4-6 years of their lives on their medical education and now when they returned to their respective country to contribute back, such administrative issues are hampering their motivation and making their qualification of no use.”
The Supreme Court bench issued formal notices to the NMC and other parties and decided to link this case with other similar petitions already pending before the court. These petitions also deal with the issue of stipends for foreign medical graduates.
The plea further explained that the payment of stipend is clearly governed by Clause 3 of the National Medical Commission Regulations, 2021.
It pointed out that the NMC itself had issued multiple circulars in 2022 and 2023 clearly stating that foreign medical graduates are entitled to the same stipend as Indian medical graduates during their internship.
The petition emphasised the equality in work responsibilities by stating,
“It is pertinent to mention that the duty hours put in by the FMG is similar to the Indian medical graduates. It is further pertinent to note that FMGs from different medical colleges are getting stipends during their internships,” it said.
Despite this, the plea highlighted that many FMGs in Gujarat are made to bear all their expenses such as food, accommodation, and travel without any financial support from the authorities. It further stated,
“This is a catch-22 situation for them since they have no other option but to continue their internship on their own expenses,” it said.
The plea also accused authorities of forcing students to sign written undertakings stating that they would not demand any stipend. It said the association had already submitted detailed representations to the relevant state authorities regarding this issue.
It added that further complaints were also sent to the Chief Minister in April, following which the Chief Minister’s Office issued directions in June and July to the Principal Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department to take appropriate steps.
However, according to the petition, no real action has been taken even after these instructions.
The plea finally requested the Supreme Court to direct the concerned authorities to ensure regular monthly stipend payments to foreign medical graduates for the entire duration of their internship.
It also sought that the stipend should be paid with retrospective effect for all FMGs interning in colleges under the Gujarat Medical Council and the Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society.
This case has now brought national attention to the challenges faced by foreign medical graduates and highlights the urgent need for equal treatment and fair compensation during their internship period as per existing medical regulations.
Read More Reports On Foreign Medical Graduates
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES
