MBBS Colleges Service Bond Policy in Punjab: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has urged the Punjab government to immediately withdraw the new ‘bond/security policy’ for admission to MBBS courses in state medical and dental colleges. Under the policy, which is currently being implemented, students are required to submit a service bond of ₹20 lakh.
This amount is payable to the Punjab government if the student does not work in a government healthcare facility for at least two years after completing their MBBS degree. The government has justified the policy by citing a shortage of doctors in government facilities. The rule was issued in June this year, before the admission process began, but parents are now concerned about how this security is being collected.
MBBS Colleges Service Bond Policy in Punjab: Parents Have Been Instructed to Pledge
Parents have been instructed to pledge two properties/lands, each valued at a minimum of ₹20 lakh, meaning they need to pledge assets worth a total of ₹40 lakh. Parents, especially those who do not own two properties/lands or are not farmers, are struggling to meet this stringent requirement. This policy applies to the Government Medical Colleges in Amritsar, Patiala, Mohali, and Guru Gobind Singh Medical College in Faridkot, as well as other government dental colleges.
Medical colleges have already started issuing notices that students who do not fulfill the condition will not be allowed to join classes. In a notice issued on Wednesday, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, stated that classes for MBBS students selected in the first round of counseling will begin on September 24, and students have been instructed to submit the required bond by September 19.
The notice stated that students who do not submit the bond will not be allowed to join classes. Similarly, the Government Medical College, Patiala, has set September 20 as the last date for submitting the bond. Demanding the immediate withdrawal of this rule, the Punjab authority of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) stated in a press release on Thursday, “This regressive and punitive measure, which includes a mandatory service bond of up to two years, a fine of 20 lakh rupees, and a property-based guarantee, is unacceptable and must be withdrawn immediately.
This policy has caused immense financial and emotional distress to students and their families, especially those from economically weaker backgrounds. This move could crush the aspirations of thousands of aspiring doctors who have worked hard to secure a seat in government medical colleges.”
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