Doctors in the Health Department who pursued higher education (PG study) with government funds either in India or abroad, have turned out to be the latest worry for the state government. As many as 22 doctors in the last 10 years have neither rejoined work nor have they paid penalties for violating the bond. All of them collectively owe about Rs 11 crore to the state government.
With the aim of providing quality health care through expert doctors, the state government used to sponsor doctors’ post graduation or PG diplomas in various universities. According to sources, every year, at least 100 seats are reserved for in-house doctors in various disciplines.
According to data made available by the health and family welfare department, in the last 10 years, 48 doctors have failed to return to government service after completion of the course.
“Of the 48 medicos, 20 have paid penalty and six have written to the government saying they will pay in instalments. But there has been no communication from about 22 doctors,” a top official of the health and family welfare department told DH. The department has sent repeated notices to the 22 doctors who have turned out to be defaulters.
“We will initiate legal action against those who have neither returned to service nor have paid the penalty,” the officer revealed. According to the bond, if a candidate fails to
return after the course, he must reimburse the course fee paid by the state and also the salary paid during the course duration or a penalty of Rs 50 lakh.