The internship allowance for Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) internees in Jammu and Kashmir must be enhanced at par with veterinary universities of other states. These internees are concerned about the meager amount they are paid and have called for enhancement to a dignified amount like other universities across the country. Overworked and underpaid, our veterinary internees are made to suffer. The government veterinary colleges across the country get a monthly stipend ranging from fifteen to twenty-five thousand rupees, but unfortunately, the students of veterinary colleges and research institutes across the union territory are being given a paltry amount of six thousand rupees per month. The daily allowance of two hundred rupees is not even sufficient enough to cover their travel expenses. It is a gross injustice to our youth as the stipend being given is not enough to meet their daily expenditures. The government must ensure equitable stipends for the veterinary interns in UT as it is completely unfair to ignore their contribution. These internees should be treated like any other frontline workers and enhancing their stipend will definitely motivate and enable them to work with enthusiasm. We hope the concerned authorities will address the issue on a priority basis.
