Junior Doctor Association’s Dr. Preetam Prajapati told TOI that the doctors have been requesting senior authorities to address the issue of lower remuneration for Chhattisgarh junior doctors compared to other neighboring states. The honorarium paid to them has also not been increased in the past five years.
Due to these issues, doctors, including interns, junior doctors, and postgraduate doctors from other districts, such as Kanker, Sarguja, Jagdalpur, Raigarh, and Rajnandgaon government medical colleges, have also gone on strike.

However, the doctors were on strike until two in the afternoon on Tuesday but resumed their duties afterward, attending to all emergency services. On the second day of their strike, they announced that they would not return to their duties after a certain period, similar to Tuesday, until their demands are met, Prajapati added.
“We understand that medical services will be affected, but this is the only way for us to present our demands to the Chhattisgarh administration,” he further added.
The doctors’ stipend has not increased in the last four years. Presently, interns are being paid an allowance of Rs. 12,600 and are demanding approximately Rs. 22,000 to 25,000. First-year Postgraduate (PG) students are being paid Rs. 53,550 and are demanding Rs. 95,488. Second-year PG students are being paid Rs. 56,700 and are demanding Rs. 98,382, while third-year PG students are being paid an allowance of Rs. 59,220 and are demanding Rs. 1,01,274. Post PG bond doctors are being paid Rs. 55,000 and are demanding an amount of approximately Rs. 90,000 to one lakh, similar to other states.
“Basically, all we want is a hike of 24 percent to 25 percent in every doctor’s salary,” he added.
While comparing the intern stipend rates in other states, he mentioned that Madhya Pradesh provides an amount of Rs. 68,000 for first-year PG, Rs. 70,000 for second-year PG, and Rs. 73,000 for third-year PG. Jharkhand University provides Rs. 87,636 for first-year PG, Rs. 90,152 for second-year PG, and Rs. 92,668 for third-year PG. New Delhi doctors receive Rs. 1,10,538 for first-year PG, Rs. 1,13,603 for the second year PG, and Rs. 1,16,673 for the third year PG. AIIMS – Raipur receives Rs. 7,91,44 for the first year PG, Rs. 81,287 for the second year PG, and Rs. 83,496 for the third year PG. Gujarat provides Rs. 84,000 for first-year PG, Rs. 85,540 for second-year PG, and Rs. 87,500 for the third year PG.
Meanwhile, one of the doctors said that after completing the MD/MS course, when the doctors are assigned to medical hospitals for their further services, their allowances decline to Rs. 55,000 from Rs. 59,200.
Apart from the salary issues, the doctors also complained about the ‘Medical bond’ system. They stated that Chhattisgarh state is putting excessive pressure on them, as the home state bond lasts for two years, and students seeking admission to MBBS courses must deposit Rs. 25 lahks in cash or documents of family property as a mortgage, which will remain with the government until the bond is fulfilled. In some cases, the mortgaged property cannot be sold or transferred.
“In such situations, it is manageable for students who can afford the charges but becomes difficult for those who are financially unfit,” added the official.
Meanwhile, in other states, such as Madhya Pradesh, the bond duration is one year, with a bond-breaking penalty of Rs. 10,00,000. In Gujarat, the bond is for one year with a penalty of Rs. 40,00,000. Andhra Pradesh has no such bond issue, while Punjab has the bond for one year with a penalty of 10,00,000.
“The bond feels like a curse to us. The basic objective of the government is to provide services to doctors, but because of these bonds, doctors are facing mental torture. What will an average-middle class person do? We feel we don’t deserve to dream of becoming a doctor,” he further added.
Junior doctors have been on strike since Tuesday morning outside the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical campus and have been raising slogans.
Stipend Demands
Interns demanding approximately Rs. 22,000 to 25,000 as allowance.
First-year Postgraduate (PG) doctors seeking Rs. 95,488 as stipend.
Second-year PG doctors demanding Rs. 98,382 in their allowance.
Third-year PG doctors requesting Rs. 1,01,274 as a stipend.
Post-PG bond doctors demand an amount of approximately Rs. 90,000 to one lakh, similar to other states.
Bond Issue
Chhattisgarh’s medical bond system requires doctors to serve for two years after completing their PG medical courses.
Students seeking MBBS admission must deposit Rs. 25 lahks as a mortgage or cash.
Mortgaged property remains with the government until the bond is fulfilled.
In some cases, the mortgaged property cannot be sold or transferred.
Bond policy arbitrary, not at par with other states