Court Directs Directorate of Medical Education to Monitor Process, Ensure Bond Service Is Completed After Studies
Chennai: In a significant ruling, the Madras High Court has granted relief to a group of doctors by allowing them to pursue super-speciality courses without completing their bond service obligations upfront. The court emphasized that the doctors must report back to the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) after completing their super-speciality education to fulfill the mandatory bond service.
The judgment, delivered by Justice V. Lakshminarayanan, came in response to a batch of petitions and review applications filed by doctors who sought release of their original educational certificates, which were being withheld by the authorities until bond service completion.
Background:
These doctors, having completed their postgraduate medical education in Tamil Nadu, were non-service candidates who signed a bond agreement committing to serve the state for two years after graduation. However, after qualifying in NEET SS, they received allotment for super-speciality courses but were unable to join as the authorities refused to release their certificates.
Court’s Observations:
The bench noted that the State had subsidized the petitioners’ education, and while the doctors were contractually obligated to serve the state, withholding educational certificates was impeding their academic progress. The court sought to strike a balance between state interest and educational advancement.
Key Directions Issued by the Court:
- Doctors must submit their super-speciality allotment letters to the Deans of their respective postgraduate medical colleges.
- The Deans must issue certified copies of the necessary certificates upon verification.
- Using these certified copies and allotment letters, doctors can join the super-speciality institutions allotted to them.
- The DME will forward original certificates to the respective universities for the purpose of registration.
- After registration, the universities must return the certificates to the DME, which will retain them safely.
- Upon completing the super-speciality course, the doctors must report back to the DME in writing to obtain bond service postings.
- The DME must issue posting orders within four months, commensurate with the doctors’ qualifications.
- Service will be on a contractual basis, valid for the full or remaining duration of the bond period.
- After bond completion, the DME will release the original certificates and provide an experience certificate stating the area of work and performance.
- If the DME fails to issue postings within four months of reporting, the bond will be deemed discharged, and certificates must be released immediately.
