Meerut : More than 100 BVSc & AH students of Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) at Izzatnagar staged a protest on Tuesday, demanding that their stipend for the compulsory 12-month rotatory internship be increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 25,000 per month and paid for the entire internship period. The protesters also sought transparency in the stipend budget and payment mechanism and a written, time-bound response from the institute.
A student, requesting anonymity, said interns currently received Rs 3,000 per month for only six months despite the internship lasting a year. “We remain interns and perform our duties for all 12 months, but the stipend is paid for only six months. We want it increased to Rs 25,000 per month and paid for the entire internship,” the student said.
Student representatives said they had raised the issue with institute authorities earlier but no satisfactory solution had emerged. We are only seeking a respectable stipend commensurate with the responsibilities we discharge as interns,” a student representative said. The manner in which the protest is being suppressed and the media kept away from the students will not be tolerated,” Shukla said. The protesters said their agitation would not affect essential veterinary services, including emergency treatment and patient care.
The protesters also sought a review of what they described as a wide disparity between the stipend at IVRI and payments made to interns at other veterinary institutions. “This protest is neither against IVRI nor veterinary education. The students also sought clarity on how funds for internship stipends were allocated and disbursed. Samajwadi Party member Mayank Shukla , who was present during the protest, alleged that media personnel were stopped at the institute gate and prevented from interacting with students. “The students’ demands must be heard. Centre should take cognisance of the matter. The students’ professional examinations are scheduled this month, following which they will begin the compulsory internship.
Stay updated with the latest Bareilly news. When contacted, IVRI public relations officer Satish Joshi declined to issue an official statement. Download the TOI App.