Punjab: 31 specialist doctors skip bond service, fail to pay Rs 50 lakh penalty
Chandigarh: A total of 31 specialist doctors who completed their postgraduate medical education under the Punjab government quota have left government service without completing their mandatory tenure or paying the bond amount of Rs 50 lakh each.
These doctors had availed subsidised education under the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) quota, which requires a 10-year service commitment post-completion of the course.
Under this scheme, between 50 to 100 medical officers are annually offered government-sponsored postgraduate seats, subject to signing an indemnity bond. The bond binds them to serve the state for a decade after finishing their course, failing which they are liable to pay the stipulated penalty. However, none of the doctors who recently left service have deposited the bond amount.
He added that if doctors suddenly decide to leave their jobs, it will directly affect the state's investment in medical education, especially in underserved regions. The association has also urged the government to take note of systemic issues like pay parity and work conditions to improve long-term retention, along with taking steps to ensure discipline for medical professionals. “As Punjab's public health infrastructure continues to strain under the weight of vacancies and attrition, the enforcement of bond obligations may serve as both a deterrent and a signal of the government's renewed focus on accountability and service delivery,” he added.
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