Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 23 2009:
Demanding a hike in their monthly stipend, more than 100 internees of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) staged a protest demonstration within the premises of the institute today.
The internees belonging to different states of the North East region have already ceased work since Monday.
Consequent upon the cease-work strike, Gyanaecology and Casualty Departments have been severely affected.
Citing prescribed norms, president of RIMS' Internees' Association S Bobdev said that internees should get a stipend of Rs 8900 each per month with effect from January 2007.However, they were being paid only Rs 5000 each per month.
"We have already filed complaint to RIMS authorities to hike our stipend but to no avail", Bobdev decried.
He maintained that they would continue with the cease-work strike until and unless their demand is met.
RIMS Director, L Fimate who is currently out of station, said that the RIMS authority has been waiting for clearance from the Health Ministry to increase monthly stipend of the internees.
"We cannot raise the stipend on our own without approval of the Ministry of Health", he said over telephone.