A group of Indian doctors with foreign medical degrees have petitioned the Supreme Court over the denial of stipends during their internships in India. Their case underscores the disparities faced by foreign-trained graduates compared to those educated in India.
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NEW DELHI: A group of Indian doctors, who pursued their medical degrees from foreign universities, have approached the Supreme Court of India, challenging the denial of stipends during their internships in Indian medical institutions. This move has highlighted significant disparities faced by foreign-trained medical graduates compared to their Indian-educated counterparts.
Supreme Court Seeks Response from Government and NMC
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, has issued a notice to the Union government and the National Medical Commission (NMC), seeking their response on this critical matter.
The petitioners, who are currently completing their internships at various medical colleges in Rajasthan, including institutions like Ram Manohar Lohia Medical College and Hospital in New Delhi, argue that the non-payment of stipends constitutes a violation of their fundamental rights. They emphasize that this practice discriminates between foreign-educated doctors and those trained within India.
Legal Representation and Arguments
Advocate Tanvi Dubey, representing the petitioners, underscored the discriminatory nature of the current policy.
“The denial of stipends constitutes a blatant violation of their fundamental rights.”
– Dubey stated.
She pointed out that several other colleges do provide stipends to foreign medical graduates, questioning the rationale behind this selective discrimination.
Widespread Impact on Foreign Medical Graduates
The present petition has been filed by foreign medical graduates undergoing internships at government medical colleges in Rajasthan, including those in Sirohi, Alwar, Dausa, and Chittorgarh. The plea stresses that according to the circulars dated March 4, 2022, and May 19, 2022, issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC), stipends should be provided on par with Indian medical graduates.
Regulations and Rights
The pleas, filed by advocate Charu Mathur, assert that the provision of stipends is governed under Clause 3 (Schedule IV) of the National Medical Commission (Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship) Regulations, 2021. The petitioners argue that they are entitled to a regular stipend as per these regulations.
“The students previously believed they would receive a stipend for their internship period, as per the Regulation.”
-the plea stated.
However, upon starting their internships, the students were compelled to sign affidavits stating that their internships would be unpaid.
“They were surprised to discover that upon starting their internship, they were required to sign an affidavit stating that the internship would be without any stipend.”
– the plea detailed.
This situation has placed significant financial burdens on the students.
“The students found themselves in a catch-22 situation, compelled to sign the undertaking with no alternative. Upon starting the internship, they were unaware they would face substantial daily expenses such as accommodation and travel. They were further surprised to learn they were responsible for expenses during rural postings.”
-the plea elaborated.
The Supreme Court, taking cognizance of these grievances, has sought a response from the National Medical Commission (NMC) regarding the pleas filed by the foreign medical graduates.
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“Issue notice,”
– the bench ordered, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.
