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Patna, Bihar – Over 130 Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) interns at ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Bihta, Patna, are facing severe financial hardship as they have not received their stipends since July 2024. Frustrated by the prolonged delay and ignored appeals, 44 interns have now filed a case in the Patna High Court against the Union of India and the college authorities.
The interns, who have been working 24-hour shifts for the past eight months, claim they have been met with vague excuses and bureaucratic delays whenever they inquire about their unpaid dues. Dr. Bhanu Kumar, National Social Media Secretary of the United Doctors Front (UDF), brought attention to their plight on X (formerly Twitter), questioning why the college is withholding salaries despite Supreme Court mandates.
“FMG interns from ESIC Bihta reached out to me, stating that they have not received their stipends for the past eight months. This is unacceptable. If the Supreme Court has already mandated the payment of stipends to FMG interns, then why is this college still withholding their due salaries?” Dr. Kumar told EdexLive.
One anonymous intern described the dire situation, stating, “After clearing our exams and being allotted this college through the Bihar Council of Medical Registration (BCMR), we have been working 24-hour shifts for eight months without a single rupee in stipend. Every time we raise the issue, we get a different excuse. We even met Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, as the college comes under the Labour Ministry, but no resolution came from it. Meanwhile, interns in other colleges are being paid their stipends regularly. We are being treated unfairly despite clear Supreme Court orders.”
The Supreme Court of India had previously ruled in September 2023 that FMG interns must be paid stipends equivalent to Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs) undergoing internships in government medical colleges. The National Medical Commission (NMC) also issued a circular in May 2022 reinforcing this directive. Furthermore, a memorandum from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, dated October 30, 2024, sanctioned a stipend of Rs. 30,070 per month for MBBS interns in ESIC institutions.
Despite these clear mandates, the interns claim that college authorities consistently cite bureaucratic delays. Dr. Prince Jaiswal, an FMG intern, expressed his frustration, “We kept hearing that our stipend file is ‘stuck in the ministry’ or that the higher authorities are ‘processing it.’ But after eight months, we realised we were being strung along. We were promised not just timely stipends but also hostel facilities, yet none of those promises have been fulfilled. When we asked about hostels, we were told there were no vacancies, even though we could see empty hostel buildings. We had no choice but to file a court case.”
The legal petition (CWJC Number 2156/2025), filed by 44 interns led by petitioner Shivam Kumar Singh, demands immediate payment of the outstanding stipends with suitable interest and seeks a directive to ensure timely future disbursements. The interns had previously sent representations to the Labour Minister and issued legal notices to the Dean of ESIC Bihta, all without success.
The case, currently awaiting a hearing date, highlights the interns’ struggle for their rightful dues and tests the accountability of the ESIC authorities and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
“We just want what is rightfully ours. The Supreme Court, the NMC, and the Labour Ministry have all ruled in favour of stipend payments. Yet, we are forced to fight this battle just to receive our basic dues,” said Dr. Jaiswal.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information available at the time of writing and may be subject to change. Legal proceedings are ongoing, and the outcome of the court case is yet to be determined. The information provided should not be considered legal advice.(https://www.edexlive.com/news/2025/Mar/20/eight-months-no-pay-esic-bihta-fmg-interns-fight-for-their-rightful-stipend)
