The petition highlights that many resident doctors, including those enrolled in post-MBBS diploma programs, Diplomate of National Board (DNB), post-diploma DNB, and Doctorate of National Board (DrNB), are not receiving their stipends.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has asked the Central Government and other authorities to respond to a petition regarding the non-payment of stipends to resident doctors pursuing post-graduate (PG) diploma courses in Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospitals and colleges.
A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah issued notices to the Centre and other concerned parties in response to the plea.
The petition highlights that many resident doctors, including those enrolled in post-MBBS diploma programs, Diplomate of National Board (DNB), post-diploma DNB, and Doctorate of National Board (DrNB), are not receiving their stipends.
These doctors argue that this is an “unjust and arbitrary act” as it creates discrimination between them and other PG students like Doctorate of Medicine (MD) and Master of Surgery (MS) students at ESIC hospitals and colleges.
The plea, filed by advocate Tanvi Dubey, points out that despite having similar expenses to MD/MS students, DNB students are not receiving any financial support.
“The usual expenses of the DNB candidates are almost similar to that of MD/MS or any other candidates. However, it is appalling to note that the DNB candidates are not getting any kind of allowances unlike the MD/MS candidates,” the petition stated.
The petition further emphasizes that resident doctors are facing hardship because they are being paid lower stipends without any allowances. The petition calls this treatment “arbitrary and unjust.”
The Supreme Court has sought a response from the following authorities:
- Union Ministry of Labour and Employment
- National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences
- Director General of ESIC
- ESIC hospitals in Delhi, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Gujarat
Relevant Issues:
- Whether Resident doctors in PG diploma courses are not receiving their stipends.
- Whether there is an unfair difference in the financial treatment of DNB doctors compared to MD/MS doctors.
- Whether the petition calls for equal pay and financial support for all PG medical students in ESIC institutions.
The Supreme Court’s intervention in this matter could provide much-needed relief to resident doctors facing financial difficulties due to unpaid stipends and unequal compensation.
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