IMA Haryana to challenge Haryana government's MBBS bond policy in High Court

NEW DELHI: Indian Medical Association (IMA) Haryana has passed a resolution to file a petition in Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the MBBS bond policy.

On December 2, the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of the PGIMS, Rohtak, decided to call off the eight-day strike after changes made in a meeting with the Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar. Following the agitation, the state government reduced the bond policy amount from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 30 lakh and cut down the duration of the compulsory government service from seven to five years.

Despite these changes, MBBS student leader Anuj Dhania said that their agitation will continue till their demands are met. The students demands include reducing the compulsory government service to one year and the default bond amount to be not more than Rs 10 lakh.

Also Read | Haryana government reduces bond policy amount; MBBS students reject changes

"IMA Haryana passes the resolution to file the petition before Punjab and Haryana High Court for challenging the notification issues in respect of 'The policy regarding incentivising doctors to opt for government service after completing MBBS degree course and for revising the fee structure in government medical colleges for MBBS/PG course 2020-21' dated 06.11.2020 issued by Government of Haryana, has been duly authorised to sign all the documents/papers, whichever are required to file the petition before the Hon'ble Punjab and Haryana High Court." read the IMA Haryana resolution.

Protesting against the policy, the RDA previously withdrew all OPD and emergency services in solidarity with the MBBS students demanding changes from the Haryana government.

The MBBS bond policy originally stated that the students taking admission in government medical colleges would have to execute a bond of Rs 40 lakh including fee. If a student opts not to serve in a state government health institution for seven years after the completion of MBBS course, then they will have to pay the amount.