Bihar Junior doctors launch indefinite strike over bond posting reforms, pay hike

Patna: Primarily demanding a reduction in the bond posting period, recognition of bond service as senior residency experience and a hike in senior residency salaries, the junior doctors across all medical colleges and hospitals in Bihar launched an indefinite strike on Wednesday. The strike will continue until the state government addresses their 6 charter demands.

While emergency services will remain operational, all non-emergency services, including the outpatient departments (OPDs), have been shut down. On Tuesday, September 16, all the junior residents in the state wore black bands during duty hours as a symbol of peaceful protest against the state health department. However, as their demands remained unfulfilled within the given timeframe, the junior doctors proceeded to move forward with the indefinite strike.

Also read- 3 years Service Bond not applicable on doctors already employed under Central Govt, Holds High Court

The strike was supported by the Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA), which pointed out that despite multiple representations to the health department, the government had taken no concrete steps so far. Consequently, they stated that they had no choice but to proceed with a protest if these issues are not addressed immediately.

Their 6-point demands include reducing the bond posting period to one year with a penalty of Rs 10 lakh for non-compliance; counting bond service as Senior Residency experience; appropriately revising Senior Resident salaries in view of the current workload and standards; ensuring bond postings strictly follow postgraduate merit-cum-choice and are within the doctor’s specialty; including the period between result declaration and commencement of posting in the bond duration; and, in case of resignation before completing bond service, applying only the bond penalty without recovering salaries already earned.

"The Junior Doctors’ Associations (JDAs) of all Government Medical Colleges in Bihar collectively place before the Health Department and the people of Bihar our long-pending and genuine demands regarding the bond policy and working conditions of postgraduate residents. Despite repeated representations, no concrete action has been taken so far. We are therefore left with no option but to proceed with a protest if these issues are not addressed immediately," said the association.

The association further states that "Our demands are reasonable, fair, and essential for justice, motivation, and efficiency among resident doctors. We urge the Government of Bihar to act immediately to prevent disruption in health services and avoid pushing doctors towards extreme measures."

The association declared that the strike would continue until concrete positive steps are taken by the state government.

Also read- Rs 40 lakh penalty for MD, MS, Rs 20 lakh for PG Diploma: Tamil Nadu Bond Service Policy