Rules relaxed for PG doctors

Superspecialty doctors, after completing their courses, will now have to either work in a rural government hospital or medical colleges for two years or face a penalty of Rs25 lakh. Similarly, post-graduate medical and MBBS students have to pay a penalty of Rs15 lakh and Rs5 lakh respectively.

In a recent resolution, issued three days ago, the penalties and the period of the services compulsion for the medical students have been revised. The rules for superspecialty courses have been diluted - from the earlier Rs 30 lakh penalty and three years’ rural/ government hospital service — to attract them to government service.

“While issuing the new resolution, the government has not kept its promise made to us last year. We demanded a penalty clause whereby it should be made compulsory that everyone passing should do service in government hospital, rural or otherwise.

But the department is not assuring the placement within one month of acquiring the degree and students are made to waste their entire year due to this. Secondly, the government is discriminating us while the private college students do not have to comply with any of these rules,” said president of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors, Dr Vasant Golve.