Rural service period for docs likely to be extended

The State government is mulling over extending the mandatory rural service duration for medical courses from the existing one year to two years.

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said that discussions are being held in this regard and an appropriate decision will be taken after speaking with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

According to the Karnataka Compulsory Service Training by Candidates Completed Medical Courses Act, 2012, the duration of compulsory rural service is only one year. The State government recently issued a notification, giving effect to the new legislation.

The minister said that the President of India has given his assent to the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance Bill, 2013, recently. The bill will empower the government to prevent employees working in water, power, health, transport and service sectors going on strikes.

Essential services include any service connected with the production, generation, storage, transmission, supply or distribution of water or electricity and any transportation service for the carriage of passengers or goods by motor vehicles, as per the act.