I don't think government should be tasked with responsibility of paying intern, they're not working for the government, the organisation they work for should pay them. I agree with the need to assist intern's with finances, but but the organisation, not government.

On the other hand, organisation might think they don't need to pay intern because they're directly impacting interns with skills and experiences for free, so they might believe the service of the intern is the payment for their own free teachings.

Anyways, Interns deserves some stipends that can cover transportation and basic needs.