MBBS degrees only after serving bond, says policy

Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service|
Shimla, July 31

Grappling with the acute shortage of specialist doctors, the government today notified a stringent Postgraduation and Superspecialty Policy for doctors, imposing strict bond conditions along with retention of the MBBS degree which will be given only after the completion of bond period or payment of bond money.

The issue of doctors not honouring the bond conditions where they had to serve in their own state after having done postgraduation or superspecialty has become a bone of contention.

More than two dozen specialists have left government service without rendering the mandatory service period. Many doctors, who did their PG in government colleges, have gone missing, leaving the government fuming.

The action in case of violation of the bond includes recovery of the total salary paid to the candidate during the course and recovery of the bond amount.

Besides, their bachelor degree will not be returned and the registration from the Medical Council be cancelled.

The policy defines that doctors doing postgraduation will have to furnish a bond to serve the state for four years, including mandatory first year of field posting, after completion of their courses. The logic given is that the government spends on each candidate and also pays them full pay and allowances.

Similarly, in case of general duty officers (GDOs), sponsored for postgraduation outside the state on the quota seats of autonomous institutions, they will have to furnish a bond to serve the state for five years, including mandatory first year of field posting. This has been done as the government pays them full pay along with increments during the course and they are not even serving the state during the course.

The candidates will also furnish undertaking as a part of bond that they will complete the course failing which they will be liable to pay Rs 10 lakh to the government for wastage of seat.

As an incentive to MBBS doctors or GDOs serving in various health institutions, there will be no requirement for an NOC to appear in NEET-PG examinations.

The trigger

More than two dozen specialists have left government job without rendering the mandatory service period. Many doctors, who did their PG from government colleges, have gone missing, leaving the government fuming and merely searching for them. 

Serving state a must

• The policy defines that doctors doing postgraduation will have to furnish a bond to serve the state for four years, including mandatory first year of field posting, after completion of their courses
• The logic given is that the government spends a huge amount on each candidate and also pays them full pay and allowances 
• In case of general duty officers, they will have to furnish a bond to serve the state for five years