300 veterinary students stage protest in Vijayawada demanding stipend hike

Veterinary students in Vijayawada demand stipend hike, protesting since February 1 for fair compensation during internships.

The veterinary students’ protest, happening since February 1, reached Vijayawada on March 13, Thursday, as around 300 students pursuing Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) from the NTR College of Veterinary Science, Gannavaram, converged on the Dharna Chowk in the city to demand a stipend hike.

In the State, there are four government colleges offering BVSc, a five-and-a-half-year course, including one year of internship. Protests erupted at all the four colleges — Proddatur, Garividi, Tirupati and Gannavaram — falling under the purview of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU), Tirupati, on February 1 after their demand for a hike in their internship stipend was met with silence from the government.

At the Dharna Chowk, a handful of students had come from other branches too, including the Garividi and Proddatur. “It was in 2013 that the government fixed ₹7,000 as the internship stipend for both veterinary and medical students. While over the years, medical students’ stipend has increased to ₹25,906, ours is fixed at ₹7,000 still,” said Puneet, a fourth-year student.

He added that while there was a media report recently that their stipend would be increased by ₹3,500, they would not settle for anything less than ₹25,906.

“The one-year internship includes travelling to neighbouring States, working at different research stations, zoos, parks apart from working at a government veterinary hospital. How can ₹7,000 be enough for accommodation, food and travelling?” he asked.

The students pointed out that they had staged similar protests in 2022 as well, but called them off after the government assured them that their stipend would be increased. “The previous government reneged on its promise. Now, we will not stop until the demand is met,” another student said.

Since February 1, the students of all the academic years in the four colleges had stopped attending classes. On March 11, SVVU Vice-Chancellor J.V. Ramana had said the classes would be rescheduled and that their academic year would be extended. He also said a G.O. on the stipend increase was expected soon.