Punjab proposes to reduce bond service tenure for PG degree doctors to 7 years, Diploma 4 years, increase penalty

Chandigarh: Offering relief to the in-service doctors pursuing postgraduate and diploma courses in Punjab government institutes, the State is all set to reduce the bond service tenure. In this regard, the State has already released the proposed postgraduate policy for 2023-2023 and invited suggestions for the same.

As per the proposed policy, the Government has decided to reduce the indemnity bond period for Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) doctors, who get admitted to post-graduation degree courses from 10 years to 7 years. In case of PG diploma students, the State plans to reduce the tenure from 6 years to 4 years.

However, the State plans to increase the bond penalty for doctors who fail to fulfil the bond service conditions. While previously, the penalty amount was Rs 50 lakh for PG degree courses, now the State has proposed to increase it to Rs 75 lakh. In case of PG diploma courses, the amount has been increased from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 45 lakh.

Also Read: Bond service term reduced to 5 years, penalty to Rs 25.77 lakh: Haryana releases Amended Bond Policy for MBBS Students

Doctors who will fail to fulfil the bond service criteria for the prescribed minimum service period after the completion of the course will be liable to pay the penalty. As per the latest media report by the Times of India, noncompliance of conditions will be considered to be gross misconduct and the State will remove the names of the erring doctors from the register of Punjab Medical Council and Dental Council.

While Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) has welcomed the decision of the Government reducing the bond service tenure, it has urged the Government for not increasing the indemnity bond amount. 

TOI adds that the association has urged the Government for rationalising the amount and reduce it proportionately to the length of service specified in the bond period. Further, the association has suggested that the Government decision for reducing the service tenure should be applied to the existing bonded candidates as well.

Referring to the fact that medical officers are required to sign multiple indemnity bonds at every level of higher studies, PCMSA has also urged the authorities for a single indemnity bond of a maximum amount that shall remain valid for PG diploma/post diploma/degree/fellowship/super speciality courses. The association also pointed out how the selected in-service PCMS/PCMS(dental) doctors face problems for delayed issuance of NOC, and demanded that NOC should be issued within a stipulated time through a single window mechanism.

Also Read: Madras HC raps govt for withholding certificates of doctors, orders to ensure immediate bond service postings