Haryana CM makes changes in MBBS bond policy, but talks fail

Chandigarh: The deadlock between protesting MBBS students and the Haryana government continued on Wednesday, even as chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday lowered the period of bond and announced to reduce the bond money by Rs 10 lakh.This is for third time talks have failed. This is the first time when any party has refused to agree with decisions taken by the CM.

The meeting was held between students and Khattar at Haryana Niwas here, and lasted for an hour and half. .

After the meeting, Khattar informed the media about offers made to students and claimed that students were largely convinced. However, leaders of MBBS students outrightly claimed that they had refused to accepted offers made by the government. Students said the entire discussion, the government and CM were emphasising on the repayment of loan of bond policy. “Keeping in view the demands of students, we have lowered the bond money from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 30 lakh, minus the course fee. We have also decided to give one-year compulsory, contractual employment to MBBS graduates. Besides, the bond tenure has been reduced from seven years to five years,” said Khattar.

Except for a few, most students agreed. Khattar also announced a rebate for girl students and a relaxation in bond money in case doctors don’t get a salary better than that of a government doctor. “Our main demand was that of compulsory service bond by the government. But they just concentrated on issues related to repayment of loan money in terms of tripartite agreements to be executed. Our agitation will be intensified,” Dr Pankaj Bittu, a representative of MBBS students, said. “The changes are too less,” he said.

Bittu added CM and officials repeatedly announced that the discussion was about the repayment model of bond, not of the service. “Now we ask the people of Haryana should we pay Rs 40 lakh for doing the job?” he said. Dr Ankit Gulia of Resident Doctors Association (RDA), who claimed that the RDA is backing students, said their decision will come after discussions with association members and the students of MBBS. “Ultimately, they have to take the call,’’ said Dr Gulia.