State has an obligation to pay stipends for internships even when students transfer due to non-compliance of educational institutions.

JUDGMENT

This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the first respondent to grant stipend to the petitioner for the completed period of CRMI undergone by her in the 5^th respondent college.

2. Petitioner had initially joined the 4^th respondent college. Due to the failure of the 4^th respondent college to comply with the standards of education and other infrastructure facilities, the said college was directed to be closed down. Petitioner who was one of the students in the said college was shifted to the 5^th respondent college for the purpose of completing her additional training as well as Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI). Petitioner has now completed his CRMI. However, her stipend has not been paid till date due to a dispute regarding on whom the liability to pay the stipend falls.

3. I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned Government Pleader, the respective Standing Counsel as well as the learned counsel for the 4^th respondent.

4. In similar cases, this Court has already directed stipend for those similarly situated as the petitioner, to be paid by the State and left the question of recovery of the same from the college concerned, open, to be decided as and when such an issue arises. Petitioner stands on a similar footing as that of the petitioners in W.P.(C) No.7153 of 2024 and connected cases. Therefore, I am of the view that the petitioner should also be extended the same benefit.

Hence, there will be a direction to the first respondent to pay the eligible stipend to the petitioner for the period of CRMI undergone by her at the 5^th respondent college within a period of two months. The question of recovery of stipend paid to the petitioner from the 4^th respondent is left open for consideration as and when the issue arises.

The writ petition is disposed of as above.

Sd/-