Bond Service in West Bengal: MD, MS, candidates to serve for 3 years, PG Diploma 2 years, Rs 10 lakh penalty for each defaulting year

Kolkata: Through a recent notice, the State Health and Family Welfare Department of the West Bengal Government, has notified about the bond service policy for MD, MS, PG Diploma and Post Doctoral candidates.

As per the policy, the doctors will work for the State mandatorily for three years after completion of their Post Doctoral / MD/ MS courses. In the case of Post Diploma or Post PG Diploma courses, the duration for bond service has been fixed at two years in rural areas.

However, in case the doctors fail to fulfil the bond terms, they will be liable to pay a penalty of Rs 10 lakh to the State for each defaulting year, informed the notification dated 05.09.2022.

The State has decided to retain the mark sheet and certificate until the completion of the bond period. However, taking note of issues the doctors may face for appearing for job interviews or registering with the Medical Council, the State has decided that "candidates under bond service may obtain necessary no objection from the appropriate authority and only the certified copy of the original documents / mark sheet / certificate shall be provided to the candidate by the concerned college / institute for that purpose"

"It has already been decided that doctors, after completing their post graduate and Post Doctoral education in State Govt. Medical Teaching institutions in West Bengal will work in Multi Speciality / Super Speciality Hospitals, secondary and tertiary level hospitals in West Bengal for 3 years (after successful completion of Post Doctoral / MD/ MS course) or 2 years (after successful completion of PG Diploma / Post PG Diploma 2 years Degree course) to serve the rural people. Failing to do so, such candidates will be liable to recompense the State Govt. a penal amount of Rs. 10 Lakhs for each defaulting year as per notification no. HF/O/MERT/923/ME/MISC-78-13 dated 10th June 2014," read the notification.

"It was further stated that all original documents as required by the dept. of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of WB from time to time, would be retained by the dept. through the concerned institute for purpose of ensuring successful completion of the bond service or payment of penal amount, as may be applicable," it added.

The State Health Department also informed the candidates about its decision of retaining the mark sheet and certificate until the completion of the bond period. In this regard, the Health Department notification read,

"It has also been decided that all Post Graduate and Post Doctoral Medical passed out candidates would receive the original Degree completion mark sheet and certificate only after completion of bond period or payment of penal amount to the authority as applicable. Till then, the Degree mark sheet and certificate of the newly passed course would be retained by the concerned university / college / institute as applicable."

However, the Health Department also addressed the issues like application to Medical Council for updated registration certificate or for attending Government job interviews and mentioned, "However, in order to alleviated issues like application to Medical Council for updated registration certificate or appearance in interview called by Govt. of West Bengal or Govt. of India, the candidates under bond service may obtain necessary no objection from the appropriate authority and only the certified copy of the original documents / mark sheet / certificate shall be provided to the candidate by the concerned college / institute for that purpose."

"For in-service candidates of dept. of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of West Bengal, the Degree mark sheet / certificate/ original documents shall be similarly kept under custody of the concerned college / institute till completion of the trainee reserve or any other applicable bond period of service or payment of penal amount as applicable to the appropriate authority," it added.

The State clarified that "This order / arrangement shall be effective and applicable for the afore said doctors admitted in Post Doctoral / MD/ MS / PG Diploma course in State Medical Teaching Institutions with immediate effect for already admitted candidates as well as for upcoming batches of candidates."

"This is in the interest of public service. All concerned are hereby informed accordingly. This has approval of the appropriate authority of this department," it mentioned.

To view the bond condition, click on the link below.

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/west-bengal-bond-service-187669.pdf

Also Read: MBBS, BDS Admissions in Odisha: Mandatory Bond Service for 2 Years, Rs 25 lakh penalty