Following a petition filed by a medical doctor, the Madras High Court issued a notice to the state government asking to quash the clause in the agreement which enable the authorities to retain the original certificates of the PG medical students until they completed two years of compulsory government service or have paid a bond of INR 20 lakh.
The plea was filed by the K Raj Santan and Justice K Ravichandra Baabu before whom the plea was filed issued notice to the state Health Secretary, Directorate of Medical Education and Dean of Stanley Medical College to file their counter report and postponed the matter till next hearing on Friday.
The petitioner completed the PG in 2017 and is a non-service candidate.
The petitioner said "at the time of admission to the PG course, the authorities obtained signature of all candidates on an agreement/bond wherein non-service candidates like him and similarly placed candidates, are required to give an assurance that they would serve the state government for a period not less than two years after completion of their PG course as per a government order (G.O.) dated February 29, 2016.
If they are unable to complete two years of service, candidates should pay a sum of Rs. 20 lakh".
The petitioner's counsel submitted that at the time of registration it was necessary to submit all the original certificates to the Dean, Stanley Medical College Hospital but they are also required for pursuing higher studies in India or Abroad.
When petitioner's approached the authorities to return their original documents, the authorities refused to do so and told them to complete 2 years of compulsory service with the state government or pay a bond of INR 20 lakh.
The counsel further said "completing two years of service or paying Rs 20 lakh was illegal and contrary to the fundamental right of candidates, who wished to pursue higher studies and also obtain statutory registration of their PG degree in the Indian medical register, etc."
Tags: Education
Certificates Of Medical Pg Students
Stanley Medical College Hospital