Lucknow, Sept. 10 -- A group of AYUSH interns staged a protest at the Gandhi statue in Hazratganj on Wednesday, demanding an increase in their monthly stipend from Rs.7,500 to Rs.25,000. The protesters said their stipend had remained unchanged for nearly 15 years despite a sharp rise in the cost of living. The interns said the stipend for MBBS and BDS interns had been increased, while AYUSH interns continued to receive the old amount. They demanded that the government bring their stipend on par with that of other medical interns and sought a meeting with deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak. They said that they had met Pathak a day earlier and were assured that action would be taken by the evening. However, they said no action had followed, prompting them to continue their protest on Wednesday. The protesters said AYUSH students undergo four-and-a-half years of academic training followed by a year-long internship, during which they assist in patient care and other hospital-related duties. "Since 2011, our stipend has not increased by even a rupee," said Dr Pawan Shukla, a protester. He said many interns living in rented accommodation were unable to meet even their basic expenses with the existing stipend. "After the MBBS interns protested, their stipend was increased from Rs.12,000 to Rs.25,000. Our workload and responsibilities are also comparable. We want the same consideration," he said. Protester Prakhar Singh Chauhan said there were around 5,000 AYUSH interns across Uttar Pradesh. He said the demand for Rs.25,000 was aimed at helping students meet their monthly expenses without having to depend on their families....