MBBS Bond Policy Row: IMA plans to move to Punjab and Haryana HC seeking relief
Sonipat: Challenging the MBBS bond service policy of the State Government of Haryana, the Indian Medical Association(IMA) Haryana chapter is planning to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking relief for the students.
Issuing a Resolution in this regard, IMA Haryana stated yesterday, "IMA Haryana passes the resolution to file the petition before Punjab and Haryana High Court for challenging the Notification issued in respect of 'The Policy regarding Incentivizing Doctors to opt for Government Service after completing MBBS Degree Course and for revising the fee structure in Government Medical College for MBBS/PG Course 2020-21' Dated 06.11.2020, issued by Government of Haryana."
Speaking to Medical Dialogues in this regard, the Chairman of IMA Junior doctors network Haryana Dr Karan Juneja said, "We are looking for the publication of the Resolution by the Government as early as possible. We will be forced to pursue the case legally if no solution comes up."
"We are constantly following up and completing legal formalities in PIL in High court of Punjab and Haryana for our students and better public healthcare and education. We are fighting the battle for good healthcare of public, dignity of our profession, affordable medical education of students and upcoming generation of good doctors," he further added.
The issue concerns the MBBS bond policy implemented by the Haryana State Government. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the MBBS students in Haryana had been protesting against the State Government's new 7-year long bond service policy for more than one month. As per the notification published in the State Government Gazette dated November 07, 2022, "All candidates completing their MBBS Course from Government Medical Colleges in the State of Haryana, shall have to execute a tripartite bond at the time of admission amounting to Rs 36,40,636/- in Government Medical Colleges and Rs 32,80,000/- in Government Aided Medical College i.e MAMC, Agroha which will be signed at the time of admission between the candidate, bank and Government (through the Institution concerned in which the candidate gets admission)."
Clearly, the medicos were upset with the bond-cum-loan agreement worth almost Rs 40 lakh. There was also confusion about those students who would pursue Postgraduation. The Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) of Haryana Government medical colleges had earlier come in support of the MBBS students and they were demanding the revision of bond service period from 7 years to 1 year and changing the penalty amount to Rs 5 lakh.
Previously, the Haryana medicos belonging to government institutes had decided to shut down OPD, ward and elective services. Several associations of doctors including the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), IMA Junior Doctors' Network (JDN) and Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) had come in support of the Haryana medicos.
Also Read: IMA calls Haryana Bond Policy
Finally, after a month-long protest, the medicos had a meeting with the Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who announced recently that the bond policy would be modified. The Chief Minister announced the decision of reducing the bond service period from 7 years to 5 years and bond anount from 40 lakhs to 30 lakhs.
The CM had also assured that "Not everyone has to pay this (bond) amount. Only those who'll complete MBBS in next 5 years & will earn more than govt salary will pay this amount. We've also given job guarantee. Those who will not get any Pvt or govt job will be given contractual employment for 1 yr."
However, the medicos are not satisfied with only verbal assurances since no Government Resolution has been passed in this regard. Continuing their agitation, the medicos are still demanding one-year compulsory bond service with guarantee of job from the Government.
Now, supporting the students, IMA Haryana is planning to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court and seek relief from the Court. Referring to the assurance from the CM, Dr. Juneja added, "Students are not satisfied with only verbal unsatisfactory assurance and tweet from the Chief Minister. So, the protest is continuing."
