Maharashtra increases monthly veterinary internship stipend to Rs 18,000
The state Cabinet decision aims to encourage final-year students to serve in rural and remote veterinary hospitals.
The Maharashtra government has raised the monthly internship stipend for final-year veterinary students to Rs 18,000, up from the previous Rs 11,000, according to reports by Times Now and India Today.
The decision was taken by the state Cabinet to provide financial relief to students studying under the Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU).
Under the new funding structure, the state government will pay Rs 15,000 per month. The remaining Rs 3,000 will be provided by the Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Animal Husbandry Minister Pankaja Munde said the increased amount would support students and encourage them to work in rural Maharashtra. Munde noted the move should improve the availability of trained manpower at veterinary hospitals to help livestock farmers access quality services.
The government intends for the hike to motivate interns to work in remote locations where access to trained professionals is vital for animal husbandry.
Munde expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Sunetra Ajit Pawar for the Cabinet decision.