New Delhi : The Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra has strongly criticised the National Medical Commission (NMC) while hearing a petition that raised concerns on the issue of the mandatory stipend to MBBS interns not being paid by an approximate 70 per cent of medical colleges in the country. The bench has strongly disapproved and questioned the actions of the National Medical Commission. They have raised concerns over the grueling working conditions of young doctors who are required to work excessively long shifts, stating that this situation is comparable to a form of bonded labour.
The Supreme Court questioned the NMC’s role as a regulator and pointed out that private medical colleges which often charge hefty donations or capitation fees during student admissions were failing to fulfil their obligation to provide stipends to MBBS interns.On the other hand the NMC requested time to gather the necessary information and report back to the bench which was granted by the bench.