Telangana AYUSH doctors give strike notice over stipend hike

The Telangana AYUSH House Surgeons and Postgraduates Joint Action Committee has issued a 15-day strike notice demanding a stipend hike. The JAC warned that around 6,000 house surgeons and postgraduate scholars would begin an indefinite strike from August 4 if the demand is not met.

Warangal: Telangana AYUSH House Surgeons and Postgraduates Joint Action Committee (AYUSH HS&PG-JAC) of Anantha Lakshmi Government Ayurvedic Teaching Hospital here submitted a 15-day strike notice to the college principal and the hospital superintendent.

The strike notice was given in connection with the JAC’s demand for an increase in the stipend of house surgeons and postgraduate scholars. The JAC urged the State government to take a favourable decision and issue orders to increase the stipend within 15 days.

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If the government failed to do so, around 6,000 house surgeons and postgraduate scholars across government AYUSH medical colleges and hospitals in Telangana would launch an indefinite strike from August 4, 2026, the JAC said.

The JAC leaders stated that despite numerous efforts over the past decade, including submitting representations, holding meetings with senior officials and explaining the issue to the Health and Finance Ministers, Health Secretary and the AYUSH Director, no decision had been taken regarding the hike in the stipend.

Speaking to Telangana Today, the JAC joint secretary Dr Rohith Basre said the Rs 13,500 stipend currently being paid was fixed in 2016. As per GO 77 issued by the government, AYUSH postgraduate scholars and house surgeons should be paid a stipend of Rs 30,000 per month on a par with their counterparts in allopathic medicine.

Despite significant increases in the cost of living, accommodation, food, travel, education and other expenses over the last 10 years, there has been no revision in the stipend. As a result, house surgeons and postgraduate scholars serving at government hospitals were facing severe financial hardships, he said.

Undergraduate students from the college also pledged their full support to the movement, JAC leaders Dr Seshu, Dr Sangameswar Reddy, Dr Vamsi, Dr Vinay, Dr Bhavana, Dr Pranitha and Dr Amulya said.