Over 100 veterinary students from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Izzatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, protested on October 5, advocating for an increase in their internship stipends to Rs 25,000 per month for the full duration of their compulsory training. Currently, students pursuing a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (BVSc and AH) receive only Rs 3,000 a month for a period of six months, even though the mandatory rotating internship lasts for 12 months.
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The protesters are requesting payment for the entire internship period at the proposed rate. They highlighted disparities in stipend amounts between IVRI and other veterinary institutions and called for improved transparency in the structure and funding of the stipend system. Additionally, they are seeking a written response from the authorities within a set timeframe.
Student representatives mentioned that they had previously raised these concerns with institute officials, but no satisfactory solutions have been reached. This latest demonstration aims to secure a commitment from relevant authorities before students commence their compulsory internships, following their professional examinations scheduled for later this month.
The students emphasized that their protest would remain peaceful and would not interfere with essential veterinary services, emergency treatments, or patient care. They clarified that their protest is not against the institute or veterinary education but is focused on seeking fair compensation for the responsibilities they undertake during clinical training.
The demand for increased stipends aligns with broader concerns regarding pay disparities among veterinary interns. IVRI students have compared their stipends with those offered at other institutions and are requesting clarity on how internship stipends are funded and managed.
Established in 1889, ICAR-IVRI is a significant research and teaching institution in veterinary and animal sciences. The students are looking for a timely resolution to these matters before entering their mandatory internship program.