With resident doctors up in arms over the 20% stipend offered to them, the Gujarat government has adopted a stern stance over their demand, terming it 'unreasonable'.

The government claimed that the junior doctors in the state are provided  higher stipends than other states, it is inhumane to go on a strike at the expense of patient care, and the act of using it as a  threat is completely unacceptable.

The government said that it has increased the stipend to up to ₹1.30 lakh, while other states offer stipends between ₹40,000 and ₹70,000. In response to the junior doctors’ announcement of a strike, the government stated that the threat to strike was ‘unreasonable’.

Moreover, the stipend for interns and resident doctors in Gujarat is entirely tax-free, according to the government.

On the other hand, professors teaching in medical colleges are subject to tax on their salaries. The stipend in Gujarat has been above ₹1 lakh for a long time and has been increased by 20% to ₹1.30 lakh. While other states have a three-year bond, Gujarat only requires a one-year bond.

Stipends across states

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