Odisha Govt Modifies Existing Policy for Execution of Bond to Overcome Dearth of Doctors

Bhubaneswar: With an aim to overcome the dearth of doctors in the State, the Odisha Government has modified the existing policy for execution of bond for doctors passing out of government medical colleges in order to utilize their services for at least two years.

The Health and Family Welfare Department said that there is a dearth of doctors in the State and there is a reluctance to serve the State after completion of course amongst the doctors studying in different Government Medical/Dental Colleges at the cost of State exchequer, in order to overcome the dearth. Hence, the State Government has modified the existing policy for execution of an agreement in shape of bond with the objective to retain the passing out doctors to utilize their services in the greater interest of the State.

The bond shall be applicable for all candidates taking admission in Government Medical Colleges, either under State Quota or All India Quota in PG DIPLOMA / DIPLOMATE NATIONAL BOARD (DNB) / DOCTORATE NATIONAL BOARD (DrNB) MD/ MS/ MDS/ DM/ M.Ch. courses or any other courses as may be adopted in State and notified from time to time, the Health Department stated in a resolution.

No admission of any kind shall be done without submission of Bond and shall be ensured by DMET, Odisha.  After completion of any of the above courses, the candidates shall have to serve in any health institution of the State for two years.

After completion of two years of service as per bond provision, the direct as well as in-service doctors will be released from bond conditions. The Certificates shall not be retained henceforth by the College Authorities and may be released after the admission is over.
In case a candidate gets opportunity for higher study immediately after completion of course, the bond seizes to operate and will come in to force after return from study. They shall submit a declaration in the form of an affidavit before JMFC. The copy of such affidavit shall be sent to DHS and DMET Odisha.

The State Medical Council (OCMR) shall not release the NOC for doing registration in any other State unless it receives a clearance from the DMET, Odisha as regards to the fulfilment of bond conditions.

The Private Health Care Institutions registered under Odisha Clinical Establishment (Control & Regulation) Act,1990 and subsequent Amendments thereunder, shall not engage any Doctor unless they obtain an affidavit from the concerned doctors duly sworn in before an Executive Magistrate to the effect that they are not violating any Bond Provision for the post PG Service and have fulfilled all the bond conditions.

Monetary Penalty for defaulters (for not serving in state for two years after completion of course) shall be double the amount of stipend/salary received during study period.

Candidates leaving the course before completion of the course leading to lapse of a seat shall be liable for monetary penalty of Rs. 10 lakh and the amount of stipend / salary received by the date of such leaving the course. In case of non-payment of penalty, recovery procedure shall be initiated against the defaulters violating the bond conditions as per Odisha Public Demand Recovery Act, 1962.