MUMBAI, February 6: The Bombay High Court today upheld the validity of the Maharashtra Government's notification that provides for two years compulsory government service for MBBS students seeking admission in post-graduate courses.Dismissing a bunch of petitions filed against the government notification, Justice A C Agarwal and Justice S Radhakrishnan ordered that one year government˙service prior to seeking admission in post-graduate course and one year after obtaining the degree was constitutional and valid.
The court also upheld another government notification issued today that provides that students seeking admission in post-graduate courses in colleges of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation have the option of undergoing two years service in these colleges instead of in government hospitals.
The petitioners had challenged the government resolution of January 19, 1998, because it clubbed all categories of students for admissions based on a common merit list. The three categories are: MBBSstudents who have completed one year service as Medical Officers (MO) after February 20, 1996, those who have applied for admission to post graduate courses in March,1997, and have been absorbed in government jobs and the rest who had not been selected for admissions but continued in government jobs.
On behalf of the state government, Additional Advocate General Bal Apte contended that earlier, the practice was to obtain a bond from MBBS students, as per which they would put in two years service after getting a post-graduate degree. However, the response was not forthcoming. Of 700 such calls, only 40 had˙responded, the court was told. The students' main objection to the government resolution on rural service was that it added to an already lengthy medical course. Medical students had told Express Newsline, "With five years of graduation, three years of post-graduation and a few more years of post-graduation, the best years of life are spent in studying. Even in our late twenties, we are financiallydependent on our parents." Medical graduates are paid over Rs 7,000 per month during their rural service. MOs posted in tribal areas are paid an additional allowance.
Parents of medical students also objected to the rule. Rural postings are dangerous, especially for girls. Besides, why should only the best students, (the ones doing post-graduation) be "victimised", they had stated.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
