RDA, PGIMS Rohtak observe 'pen down' against Haryana MBBS bond policy; asks to meet demands within 24 hours

NEW DELHI: The Resident Doctors' Association (RDA), of Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences (PGIMS) Rohtak conducted a meeting yesterday, November 18, 2022 regarding the MBBS bond policy in Haryana.

There was an elaborate discussion on the strike by MBBS undergraduate students against the policy. The RDA noted the minutes of the meeting in a letter. The letter said "It was universally accepted by the House that the current bond policy is unjustified and barbaric and requires substantial amendment."

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The association condemned the 'indifferent attitude' of the government as the students have not received a positive reply from the responsible authorities despite a mass protest with support from different states. Therefore, the RDA took a decision to observe 'pen-down', meaning that the House was on a strike against the management in the out-patient department as a mark of protest.

The strike took place from 10 AM to 11 AM today, November 19. The association has also decided that if the government fails to meet their demands within the next 24 hours, the residents across all the departments will escalate the protest with 'significant consequences.'

The Haryana MBBS bond policy requires doctors to serve for a specific period in state hospitals after the completion of their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. If they fail to do so, they have to pay a penalty to the state or medical college.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on November 2 said no student will have to deposit the Rs 10 lakh bond amount at the time of admission for MBBS in government colleges. According to a Haryana government statement, they will instead have to sign a bond-cum-loan agreement of the amount with the college and the bank concerned.