J&K: PG medical students in govt colleges to sign two-year bonds?

The Jammu and Kashmir government is planning to introduce a rule that will require doctors doing MD or MS from government medical colleges to work in the region for two years after finishing their studies.

 

According to Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo, a proposal in this regard has been cleared and will be sent to the Cabinet for final approval.

 

“Once the Cabinet agrees, the rule will be applied in the entire Union Territory,” she said.

 

The main goal of this rule is to reduce the shortage of specialist doctors, especially in rural and remote areas.

 

Many parts of J&K do not have enough trained doctors, and this step is expected to improve medical services there.

 

“We think this change is very important,” Itoo said. “Students are trained using public money, so it is fair that they serve the people in return.”

 

This policy is already in place in at least 16 other States and Union Territories in India. Once passed, it will apply to all students taking MD/MS courses in government medical colleges of J&K.

 

Every year, around 557 MD/MS seats are available in J&K’s government colleges. About half of these are filled through the All India Quota. The rest will go to local students, who will have to follow the bond rules once the policy takes effect.

 

Service bonds are common in many parts of India. Doctors who do not follow them usually have to pay fines of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

 

The Supreme Court has said these rules are legal and do not stop doctors from working freely. Instead, they help the government recover the cost of training.

 

Health experts and local people in J&K have supported the move. They believe it will help bring more doctors to areas that need them the most and improve the healthcare system across the region.

India