Rs 20 lakh fine imposed on 31 resident doctors

Bond tenure rules require resident doctors to spend two years in district and rural hospitals assigned by the govt; allegedly defaulting doctors are from prominent hospitals.

The list of doctors who face the fine includes senior residents from prominent institutions across West Bengal. (Representational Image)

Taking action for defying its guidelines, the West Bengal government has slapped a fine of Rs 20 lakh each on 31 resident doctors who did not serve in rural areas.

As part of their degree course, the doctors are mandated to serve in rural areas. Bond rules require resident doctors to spend one year in medical colleges and two years in district and rural hospitals. The state health department assigns specific hospitals and departments to government medical college students.

This service is considered an integral part of the medical education, and students are expected to work as senior resident doctors after completing their postgraduate courses. Two years ago, the health department had issued a notification regarding this.

Now, after an investigation by the department, they have issued a formal notification naming the erring doctors, their respective bond postings, and the medical colleges they are affiliated with. The respective medical superintendents and vice-principals have also been informed of this action.

A top health department official expressed concern over the non-compliance of senior residents with bond rules, stating, “The question is why the senior residents are not joining work in the district hospital or rural hospital even after completing one year in the medical colleges as per bond rules. Before issuing the punitive action, the doctors were warned twice about the consequences of their non-compliance. Despite these warnings, they failed to rectify the situation.”

The list of doctors who face the fine includes senior residents from prominent institutions like Bankura Medical College, Burdwan Medical College, Uttar Bengal Medical College, Purulia Medical College, Calcutta Medical College, NRS Medical College, and R G Kar Medical College.

Dr Manas Gumta, a professor of surgery and member of the Joint Platform of Doctors, claimed that while the bond rule stipulates a fine of Rs 10 lakh per year for non-compliance, the responsibility for this issue “cannot be solely placed” on the resident doctors.

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He said that hospital administration also plays a crucial role in releasing doctors after their one-year service period. Dr. Gumta suggested that political influence might have been involved in retaining some doctors and that blaming resident doctors without addressing “the systemic issues” would not resolve the problem.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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