JAMMU, FEBRUARY 13, 2022: Demanding revocation of the controversial Compulsory Service Bond for MBBS and BDS students by Ladakh Union Territory Administration, Medical students staged a protest here in Jammu today.

As per a notification dated August 23, 2021, by the Department of Health and Medical Education, UT Ladakh, it was maintained that before securing admission under ST quota, Ladakh union territory quota or any other quota, medical students have been asked to sign a bond tying them to serving in Ladakh—for five years in case of MBBS and three years for BDS—immediately after completion of their degree courses.

The order says in case they fail to serve in Ladakh, an MBBS has to pay Rs 50 lakh to the UT of Ladakh and a BDS Rs 30 lakh. The order says in case a student fails to complete the degree, he has to pay half the bond amount to the government.

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Speaking on the occasion, a student said, “what does the Administration want to do with the students? If a student wants to become a surgeon or physician with higher studies, this bond is imposing a ban of five years in studies of the student that will ruin his career.

“There is no such strict Bond in any other part of India. This is not acceptable to us and the Administration has to rethink this bond”, the student added.

A female student said that the administration is restricting the students from continuing their careers. Even if a student cannot continue his career in medical, he has to pay 25 lac Rupees which is a big amount.

Another student alleged that this decision is not taken in consultation with the public representatives that is LAHDCs. This is not a well-thought bond. They have thought only from the health perspective of the public which is suffering due to lack of doctors. But the shortage is not a valid reason to restrict a student from pursuing his career.

“Now there are 40-50 students getting selected in MBBS every year since 2015 which will overcome the shortage issue soon. A medical student needs 12-13 years to complete his studies after which all students already willing to serve in their native place.”