Veterinary students’ cries for stipend increase fall on deaf ears

Students of Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University say their stipend has not been revised in 8 years

Rachana Ramesh | NT

Bengaluru: Students across all five veterinary colleges in Karnataka have launched an indefinite strike, demanding that their internship stipends be increased.

The students of Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University complain that their internship stipend has not been revised in close to eight years. The last revision took place in the year 2015 when the students began to receive Rs 14,000 monthly. On the other hand, MBBS students who are currently doing internships receive a stipend of Rs 30,000 per month.

Sandeep Hegde, a finalyear student of the Veterinary College in Hebbal, said that the discrimination is blatant considering that both their curriculums require them to complete a one-year-long internship at the end of their four-and-a-half year undergraduate course. Also, while the MBBS students can pursue their internship in particular campuses, veterinary students must travel on a rotational basis across 24 places, with 23 places within the state and one outside.

“We must manage all your expenses of travelling and food within the stipend we get. It is becoming impossible with the rising inflation,” Sandeep said. He also recalled a Delhi High Court judgement that observed that veterinary doctors are no different from medical officers.

MBBS students got a hike during the pandemic years their stipend was increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000. In the year 2016, the duration of the internship was increased from six months to one year but the wages have remained the same. Many states have increased the veterinary internship stipend in the year 2022, including Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Chhattisgarh. However, Karnataka is yet to follow suit.

Sandeep noted that they have tried to bring up the issue with the authorities for over the last two years. Not receiving a positive response, they resorted to the strike. The strike began on Monday in which close to 2,000 students have boycotted their classes as well as providing veterinary services to those who show up at the clinics.

“The Animal Husbandry minister has taken note of the matter due to the commotion created by the strike. The file currently lies with the Finance department, which is reacting to the issue at a sluggish pace,” said Sandeep.

“So far, there has not been any positive response from the department but it has united the students across vet colleges of Karnataka around the common cause. This is very similar to the fellowship hike protests we are seeing across the nation, particularly among research scholars,” said Aratrika from All India Students Association (AISA), which recently joined the protest in solidarity.

“Many families depend on the stipend earned by interns and doctoral students but these are never revised by the government in keeping with rising inflation rates. It is not up to the college to agree to this state-level demand,” she added.