BJ Medical College sends notice to 1318 MBBS, PG passout doctors for shunning bond service

This strict action has been taken on the orders of the Maharashtra Director of Medical Education and Research (DMER).

At the time of the admission for an undergraduate (MBBS) and postgraduate course (MD or MS) in the state, the medicos have to sign a compulsory rural service bond and submit all the certificates of their previous exams in order to get a subsidized rate at its government medical colleges. The bond states that the doctors will only get their certificates from the concerned institute they applied in; after they complete the 1 year mandated service within the state's rural areas. Alternatively, if the doctors need to get their certificates back before the completion of the stipulated period, they would have to pay the agreed penalty amount to the government along with the interest.

According to DMER, the government spends around Rs 22 lakh behind every student's education.

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Now, recently after the DMER called for attachment of properties of defaulters in the bond, the BJ medical college, following the order, began issuing notices to batches of doctors. The notices have been issued over a period of two-three months to 801 undergraduate doctors (2005 to 2010 batches) and 517 graduate doctors (2005-2012 batches) for shunning bonds in rural areas, reports Mirror.

The DMER is further mulling to ask Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) to cancel the registrations of the defaulters, if necessary.

Speaking to the Mirror, Dr TP Lahane, DMER Director informed, "If they are not ready to serve the bond, we will issue an order to the district collector, demanding attachment of properties and recovery of penalty with interest. If required, we would also write to Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) to cancel their registration."

When contacted, BJ medical college Deputy Dean, Dr Mulridhar Tambe, confirmed to the daily that the college is indeed following the government orders."There are a few MBBS students who have not informed us after taking admissions to PG medical course," he said, adding, "The penalty amount also differs based on the batch. More than 200 doctors have responded to us. We have asked them to inform us if they have served their bonds or are in the process."

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Meanwhile, the notices have not gone well with some doctors in the state. Dr Sagar Mundada, former chairman of Indian Medical Association's state youth wing called out the clause which specifies attachment of doctors' properties with the bond.

"Once the doctors complete their post-graduation, they cannot renounce everything only to retrace steps back to rural areas," he said pointing out that the doctors are allegedly not being allocated bonds on time and denounced DMER's sudden announcement of orders. "There are cases in which the court has given relaxation to doctors from serving the bond," he added.wi