Andhra junior doctors cut stipend demand to 20%, reject government’s 3% offer
APJUDA cuts its demand from a 30% biennial revision to 20%, rejects the government’s 3% offer as inadequate, and seeks a hearing before the Chief Minister as the strike enters its tenth day
The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors’ Association (APJUDA) has reduced its demand for a biennial stipend hike for junior doctors and interns to 20%, stating that the government's initial offer of 3% annually is inadequate. The doctors were responding to the Health Department's proposal, which acknowledged the financial constraints but still could not meet their demands.
The stipend hike is crucial due to the rate of inflation, and the initial demand for a 30% increase had not been met. The APJUDA had previously been receiving a 15% hike every two years and had demanded an increase to 30%. The government maintained that even continuing the 15% hike was not possible, citing the additional annual expenditure of ₹87.91 crore.
The doctors also rejected the government's other demands, including adherence to National Medical Commission (NMC) regulations and opposition to increasing the retirement age to 65 years. The strike, which began on August 20, 2026, has seen candlelight rallies and demonstrations in opposition to the government's stance.
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