This policy change has been proposed by the Health Department of Karnataka with the aim to lessen the financial burden on the government. If implemented, this can lead to Rs 544 crore annual savings.
With the implementation of this rule, compulsory rural service in Karnataka will no longer be applicable to medical students belonging to private medical colleges in the State.
Although one-year compulsory rural service was mandatory only for the medicos from government medical colleges, Karnataka Compulsory Service Training by Candidates completed Medical Courses Act, 2012 made it applicable for the medical graduates from the private medical colleges as well.
Currently, MBBS, MD/MS/Diploma, and Super Speciality students get a monthly salary of around Rs 62,666, Rs 70,000 and Rs 72,800 respectively for compulsory service.
Also Read: 1 Year Compulsory Rural Service Challenged: Karnataka HC Notice to govt
However, according to the 2012 Act, these students should be paid a stipend equal to an amount that is Rs 100 lesser than the minimum gross salary paid to the general duty medical doctors/specialists/senior specialists serving in the State Health and Family Welfare Department.
As per the latest media report by the Times of India, Karnataka Health Department has pointed out that if all the 7,845 MBBS, 2,844 PG and 180 super-speciality students join compulsory service, it will result in a whopping cost of Rs 844 crore on annual basis. However if only the GMC students including 2,750 MBBS, 1,050 PG and 100 super speciality students are considered for these posts, the wage burden can be capped at Rs 300 crore.
Considering this fact, the State Health Department of Karnataka has now proposed changes in thePassouts law and restrict compulsory rural service only to the candidates in government colleges, official sources confirmed to TOI. They further informed that the proposal is now before the Government.
Apart from this, the Department has also proposed a hike in the penalties for students who fail to fulfill the compulsory rural service norms.
Also Read: Interim Relief to 180 MBBS doctors, Karnataka HC asks State not to precipitate Compulsory Rural Service for 2 weeks
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